Poverty compels father to offer child for ‘sale’

MAIMANA (SW) – Crippling poverty has compelled a dejected father to offer his children for ‘sale’ in Faryab province.

Asadullah, a resident of Balochragh district in Faryab province, said he left his hometown about six years ago and settled in Jawzjan province. According to Assadullah, he went through difficult times during this period and led his family through many economic problems.

He told Salam Watandar that the problems in his life worsened after he lost his wife eight months ago. Assadullah said he then had to take care of his three children alone and beg to find food for them. Assadullah said he has set a price of 200,000 afghanis for his daughter, but so far buyers have been found to pay only 130,000 afghanis.

However, a number of Faryab civil society activists are saying that this misery is due to the poverty.

According to them, the lack of work and the freezing of Afghanistan’s state assets by the US, and at the same time the rising prices, have forced to the needy and poor families selling their children to provide for themselves.

Local officials at the Islamic Emirate also acknowledge that the country’s poverty and economic crisis have led families like Assadullah to offer to sell his children.

ENDS

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