The Taliban’s ongoing restrictions on Afghan women and girls continue to dominate headlines.
In their latest move, the construction of windows in residential buildings overlooking areas used by Afghan women will be prohibited.The decree also requires that municipal authorities and other relevant agencies supervise construction to ensure that residences do not include windows that provide views into neighbours’ properties.
If such windows exist, property owners should build barriers or obstruct the view “to avoid nuisances caused to neighbours,” as stated in the decree. Since taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban have imposed severe restrictions, mostly on women. Despite these regulations, the regime claims that Islamic law “guarantees” the rights of Afghan men and women.
Since its inception, the Ministry has issued directives that disproportionately affect women and girls, including as clothing rules, segregated education and employment, and the necessity of a male guardian for travel. In August of this year, supreme commander Hibatullah Akhundzada imposed prohibitions on women’s voices and exposed faces in public. Article 17 of the treaty restricts the publication of photos of living persons, putting further burden on Afghanistan’s already vulnerable media industry.
Article 19 prohibits the performance of music, the conveyance of single female travelers, and the mingling of unrelated men and women. The regulation also requires that passengers and drivers pray at specific times.
Earlier this month, many women studying as midwives and nurses in Afghanistan said that they were advised not to return to class the next morning. This decree effectively ended their only option for higher education in the country. Five training schools in Afghanistan also alerted the British broadcaster that they had received orders from the Taliban to close until further notice. Students were in tears when they heard the news, according to videos uploaded online.
Despite their promises of moderate governance after seizing power in 2021, the Taliban have restricted women and girls from various aspects of daily life. Over 20 countries expressed their support for the proposed legal action, stating, “We condemn the gross and systematic human rights violations and abuses in Afghanistan, particularly the gender-based discrimination against women and girls.”
Taliban deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat dismissed the allegations, claiming that human rights were protected in Afghanistan and no discrimination existed.
“Unfortunately, an attempt is being made to spread propaganda against Afghanistan through the mouths of several fugitive (Afghan) women and misrepresent the situation,” Fitrat said on X.
