Bibi Gul says the labour pain led to severe bleeding, but she had no way to go to hospital because her family had neither money for transport nor a vehicle to take her to Herat city.

Local sources in Herat say the Taliban have arrested four people accused of taking part in recent protests in the province.

The protesters say they were not demanding special privileges and did not chant political slogans. They shouted only three words: “Work, Education and Freedom.” However, they say the Taliban could not tolerate even these simple demands and responded with gunfire and beatings.

“I wanted to go to school and continue my education, but they gave me to this old man. I used to sleep beside my mother at night. Now I am very afraid and cry every night. I never imagined that I would be married off.” she says.