Taiba - Abused & Imprisoned

For two years, 10 year old Taiba was forced into a sexually abusive relationship by a 67 year old married man – her neighbour.

But one day, the secret came out, and both Tabia and her abuser were arrested. The man was sentenced to three years in prison for adultery. The worst was still to come for Taiba. By the time of her trial, Taiba was pregnant. Having a child outside marriage remains illegal in Afghanistan. Taiba was also charged with adultery and sentenced to one and a half years in prison.

Taiba was imprisoned with adults who had committed serious crimes. She said “ I was beaten regularly by prison staff and other prisoners. I was called a prostitute every day. I had to live in unhygienic conditions and didn't have enough food. I felt terrible guilt for the shame I caused my family. I was scared that my family would try to force me into suicide when I got out, or that they might even murder me in order to reclaim their honour.”

With War Child's help, Taiba was moved out of the women’s prison and into this juvenile rehabilitation centre. Upon arrival, Taiba received a full psychological and medical check. She was provided with emergency counseling and now receives ongoing care and support from social workers employed by War Child.

Taiba no longer suffers abuse from prison guards or other inmates and is now properly fed. Taiba exercises every morning, attends literacy classes, can watch TV with other girls of her own age. She also takes Islamic lessons which will enable her to pray properly and observe religious customs in a way that will help her to win back the respect of her family when she is released.

War Child has established a family liaison service, which works with both the child in detention and their family, to develop positive attitudes and a good social environment for the return and rehabilitation of the child. In the case of Taiba, this has resulted in the unprecedented success as not only her mother, but her father also, regularly visit her in the juvenile rehabilitation centre. Taiba’s parents now both accept that she was the innocent party of her ordeal and are willing to accept her back within the family, which will ensure her wider family will not seek to harm her in the name of honour.

War Child’s family liaison service will monitor and support her closely when she returns home. Recently, Taiba gave birth to baby Fariq. But unbeknown to her, her parents had secretly arranged for Fariq to be fostered and, sadly, Fariq was taken from her.

War Child’s family liaison officers traced the foster family and are now making regular follow-up visits to ensure baby Fariq’s well being. The challenge of living in war torn Afghanistan still remains for Taiba and other children like her.