Taliban’s Hijab Enforcement Draws UN Concern as Women’s Rights Fears Deepen in Afghanistan

The United Nations has expressed deep concern over reports that Taliban authorities in Afghanistan detained women and girls in Herat province for allegedly failing to comply with the group’s strict dress code regulations, reigniting global debate over the deteriorating state of women’s rights in the country.

According to information gathered by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), several women were reportedly arrested during operations targeting individuals accused of violating the Taliban’s interpretation of mandatory hijab rules. The reported incidents have raised alarm among international observers, who fear an intensification of restrictions on Afghan women since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.

The alleged detentions sparked protests in parts of Herat, where residents took to the streets to voice their opposition to the reported arrests and the broader limitations imposed on women. Witnesses cited in various reports claimed that Taliban security personnel used force to disperse demonstrators. Some accounts suggested that live ammunition was fired during the unrest, resulting in casualties and multiple injuries.

In response to the developments, UNAMA urged Taliban authorities to ensure that all Afghans are treated with dignity and equality before the law. The UN mission stressed the importance of safeguarding fundamental freedoms, including the right to move freely without fear of arbitrary detention or discrimination based on gender.

Taliban officials have denied accusations that women were detained specifically for breaching hijab regulations. Authorities described the reports as misleading and rejected claims that a targeted campaign against women had taken place in Herat.

Since regaining control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the administration has introduced a series of measures limiting women’s participation in education, employment and public life. Girls have been barred from secondary schools and universities, while women have faced restrictions in numerous sectors of work and social activity.

Human rights organisations continue to warn that the cumulative impact of these policies is systematically eroding the freedoms of Afghan women and girls. The latest reports from Herat have intensified calls for international engagement and renewed pressure on the Taliban to uphold basic human rights standards and reverse measures viewed as discriminatory.