Part 8/12:
In Afghanistan, the situation was somewhat suppressed during Taliban rule from 1996 onwards due to strict Sharia laws. However, post-2001, with governmental changes and civil unrest, illegal practices surged back, often under the patronage of local warlords and militias.
Despite the Taliban’s recent return to power in 2023, credible reports suggest that child exploitation—particularly bachabazi—has not only persisted but also intensified. Taliban commanders, rather than curtailing such practices, have reportedly incorporated young boys into their security details as bodyguards or even soldiers, continuing the cycle of abuse openly in some regions.