KABUL: (MEP) – A US lawyer rescued a six-year-old Afghan girl – Naghma from marriage to a 19-year-old boy after her father failed to pay back his debt.
Naghma’s father – Taj Mohammad had taken borrowed $2,500 for the treatment of his wife who fell ill after they moved to Kabul city from southern Helmand province last year.
However, Taj Mohammad could not repay his debt and decided to marry off Naghma who was only six-year-old to money lender’s son.
The U.S. lawyer Kimberley Motley stepped in to survive the six-year-old Naghma after she was informed by human rights groups.
Motley arranged a Jirga, assembly of Afghan elders and managed to get Namgha out of the marriage and return her to her family.
“I’m certainly very happy that Naghma did not have to be married off at the age of 6, so I’m pleased with that,” Motley quoted by CNN said.
She said, “But I’d like to make sure she gets an education and becomes successful.”
The debt of Naghma’s father was paid off by an anonymous donor. Afghanistan’s National Institute of Music, which is a school that takes orphans and underprivileged children, is offering placements for both Naghma and her brother.
