https://www.rferl.org Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty is an international news organization serving Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Russia, the Middle East and Balkan countries https://www.rferl.org/Content/responsive/RFE/en-US/img/logo.png https://www.rferl.org en Copyright 2026 - RFE/RL, Inc. 60 Wed, 08 Apr 2026 20:56:14 +0200 Pangea CMS – RFE/RL In Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, teenage girls are commonly forced to marry before reaching adulthood, in spite of laws setting the minimum age of marriage at 18. RFE/RL spoke to two teenagers who were coerced into marriage against their will, forcing them to give up their educations. https://www.rferl.org/a/underage-marriage-kyrgyzstan-tajikistan-child-rights/33467754.html https://www.rferl.org/a/underage-marriage-kyrgyzstan-tajikistan-child-rights/33467754.html Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:14:07 +0200 TajikistanFeaturesKyrgyzstanThe Rundown Stories In spite of international laws banning marriage for minors, girls in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan are commonly forced to marry as young teens. One Tajik woman described leaving school at 17 to work for her husband's family, while a young Kyrgyz woman said she was kidnapped by her suitor at just 16. https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-tajikistan-underage-marriage-girls-women-rights/33467736.html https://www.rferl.org/a/kyrgyzstan-tajikistan-underage-marriage-girls-women-rights/33467736.html Fri, 18 Jul 2025 00:12:49 +0200 TajikistanKyrgyzstan