new afghan law

Taliban Issues New Decree Barring Women from Being Visible Through Windows

By Marsh (Edi) Baptise

Afghanistan - In a continued crackdown on women’s rights and visibility in Afghanistan, the Taliban leadership has reportedly issued a decree prohibiting women from being visible through the windows of buildings while sitting, standing, or engaging in everyday activities such as cooking. This latest directive marks another step in the systematic restriction of women’s presence in both public and private spaces under the Taliban regime.

Since regaining power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has implemented a series of stringent measures aimed at controlling women’s lives. These include barring girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade, banning women from working in most professional sectors, and restricting their movement without a male guardian. The newest regulation further erodes women’s ability to participate in society, confining them to an even more invisible role.

The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, the Taliban body tasked with enforcing these policies, has already been enforcing strict dress codes, including mandatory full-body coverings for women in public. Women have also been forbidden from speaking in public spaces where men are present, effectively silencing their voices in Afghan society. Now, the new decree extends these restrictions to the domestic sphere, ensuring that women’s presence is concealed even within their homes.

International human rights organizations have condemned the Taliban’s actions, describing them as part of a broader effort to erase women from public life. The United Nations has also criticized these measures, with officials warning that such policies contribute to a “distressing vision” for Afghanistan’s future and undermine any hope of progress for the country’s women and girls.

“These restrictions are designed to systematically confine women to the domestic sphere, stripping them of agency and visibility,” said a spokesperson for Human Rights Watch. “This latest decree only deepens the repression of Afghan women, isolating them further and perpetuating a culture of inequality.”

The Taliban has defended its policies, claiming they are in line with its interpretation of Islamic law. However, critics argue that these actions represent an extreme and oppressive application of religious principles that disregards the dignity and rights of women.

The cumulative impact of these restrictions has led to a significant regression in women’s rights in Afghanistan, reversing years of progress made in education, professional opportunities, and public engagement. Afghan women, who once held positions of leadership and influence, now face increasingly limited access to education, healthcare, and personal freedom.

As international outcry grows, the global community continues to urge the Taliban to reverse its course and uphold the rights of all Afghan citizens. However, with the regime showing little willingness to compromise, the future for Afghan women remains uncertain and bleak.

This latest decree serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by women in Afghanistan under Taliban rule, highlighting the urgent need for continued advocacy and support from the global community to protect their rights and freedoms.