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 ministry is to “command the good and forbid the evil in accordance with Sharia and Hanafi jurisprudence,” a statement backed by Ministry of Justice spokesperson Barkatullah Rasooli. The recent laws are the first formal decree of such nature since the group reclaimed control.
A detailed 114-page document reviewed outlines 35 articles under the new regulations that govern a wide array of personal and public behaviors. These span requirements for Afghan women’s hijab to stipulations concerning men’s attire and the conduct of media within the country. Notably, Article 13 specifically requires women to cover their faces in public “for fear of causing temptation.”
Further extending its control over women’s autonomy, the legislation specifies that women should keep their voices low in public spaces and bars them from traveling alone with male drivers unless accompanied by a legal male guardian. Moreover, men are subjected to rules that prohibit the wearing of ties, trimming, or shaving beards below a certain length, and fraternizing or aiding non-believers.
The media is also tightly regulated under these laws. Article 17 specifies that all disseminated content must align with Sharia law, should not “humiliate or insult Muslims,” and must avoid containing images of living beings. These requirements pose significant challenges to media freedom and the dissemination of information.
Maulvi Abdul Ghafar Farooq, a spokesman for the ministry, expressed confidence in the new laws, stating, “We assure you that this Islamic law will be of great help in the promotion of virtue and the elimination of vice.”
Responses to the Taliban’s tightening grip on social norms have been critically received by the international community, which views these measures as severe infringements on human rights. The restrictive laws particularly target the freedoms and rights of women, reversing many of the advancements made over the last two decades.
Human Rights Watch and other organizations have condemned these actions, highlighting the drastic reduction in visibility and participation of women in public life. As these laws take effect, there are growing concerns about the implications for Afghanistan on the global stage, particularly in terms of humanitarian aid and international relations, which are heavily influenced by the country’s human rights practices.
The future socio-economic impact of such restrictive laws is uncertain, with experts warning of potential negative consequences on Afghanistan’s development and its efforts to re-integrate into the international community after years of conflict and isolation. As the Taliban continues to enforce these and potentially further regulations, the international community watches closely, balancing diplomatic engagement with necessary critiques of the regime’s approach to governance and human rights.