Taliban Enacts Strict Modesty Laws Affecting Afghan Women’s Public Appearance and Behavior

KABUL, Afghanistan — In a significant escalation of its restrictive measures on women, the Taliban has mandated the covering of faces in public as part of a broader legislative framework intended to “combat vice and promote virtue.” This directive was ratified by the group’s supreme leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, and is part of a suite of rules aimed at enforcing strict adherence to the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law. Following their return to power in 2021, twenty years after their initial ousting, the Taliban established the Ministry for Vice and Virtue. The exclusive responsibility of this … Read more

Taliban Introduces Restrictive Measures: Women Required to Silence Voices and Cover Faces in Public

Kabul, Afghanistan – In a significant tightening of restrictions on women, the Taliban have introduced new laws that prohibit women from speaking publicly and mandate their faces be covered in public, deepening concerns about rapidly diminishing women’s rights under their regime. These latest regulations underscore an ongoing and severe rollback of freedoms since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021. Previously, under their 1996-2001 rule, similar harsh limitations were placed on women, including restrictions on employment, education, and physical appearance. The face covering mandate effectively means that women will have to wear burqas … Read more