Men, women equal: Taliban bans forced marriages

The Taliban decreed on Friday it was banning forced marriage of women in Afghanistan, a move apparently meant to address criteria the international community consider a precondition to recognising its government and restoring aid to the war-torn country. “Both (women and men) should be equal,” said the decree, adding that “no one can force women to marry by coercion or pressure.” The move was announced by the reclusive Taliban chief, Hibatullah Akhunzada.