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THIS is the harrowing moment an Afghan dad was forced to sell his nine-year-old daughter as a child bride so he could buy food for his family.
Parwana Malik was sold to Qorban, 55, who she described as an “old man” because of his white beard and eyebrows.
As the man was leading her away, Parwana’s dad Abdul Malik pleaded with him not to hurt his child.
Abdul broke down in tears as he told Qorban: “This is your bride. Please take care of her. You are responsible now, please don’t beat her,” according to a CNN report.
Parwana’s family said they had no choice in selling their daughter and are just one of many families in Afghanistan who are destitute and are forced to sell their young daughters into marriage so they can survive.
The Malik family have been living in an Afghan displacement camp in the north western Badghis province and have been surviving on humanitarian aid and earning a meagre living doing menial work.
The situation though deteriorated following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August and the virtual collapse of the country’s economy.
Abdul was forced to sell Parwana’s 12-year-old sister months ago in order to help his family survive.