Navigating aimlessly: young Afghans, marriages and decision-making power. Case study in four Afghan provinces

The institution of marriage is central to Afghan social life, as is ethnicity or qawm. The study Decisions, Desires and Diversity: Marriage Practices in Afghanistan published in 2009 by an independent research centre, Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit, intended to identify the decision-making process leading to marriage, and how social, economic and cultural aspects can impact this choice. This article will mention different types of marriage (ban, badal, polygam...), and nuance some stereotypes about the powerlessness of women in decision-making, - especially if they are elderly and widows-, as well as highlight situations that increase violence within the household as is for example the practice of dowry, a widespread tradition which leads to a majority of young husbands and their families being indebted.