11-year old girl forced to marry a man of 40s in Afghanistan! Child Marriage is common in Afghanistan!

A haunting and powerful image that was awarded UNICEF Photo of the Year in 2007. The photo, taken by Stephanie Sinclair, an American photojournalist, depicts an 11-year-old Afghan girl named Ghulam sitting beside her husband, Faiz Mohammed, who is in his 40s. The setting is in Ghor Province, Afghanistan.

The image starkly portrays the harsh reality of child marriage, a practice still prevalent in some parts of the world, particularly in conflict-ridden or impoverished areas. Ghulam’s innocent face—distressed and expressionless—contrasts sharply with her much older husband, symbolizing the loss of childhood and autonomy that comes with such forced unions.

Stephanie Sinclair’s photograph became a critical tool in raising global awareness about child brides and women’s rights violations. The image is part of Sinclair’s long-term project called “Too Young to Wed,” which documents the personal stories of child brides around the world.

This photograph didn’t just earn accolades—it sparked conversations and policy debates about ending child marriage and protecting girls’ rights through education, legal reform, and community engagement.