In a stark reminder of the regressive policies that have come to define their rule, Afghanistan’s Taliban government has issued a new set of laws that includes a ban on women’s voices and bare faces in public. This latest decree, part of a 114-page document containing 35 articles, represents a significant tightening of restrictions on women’s freedoms and rights in the country. The Taliban bans women’s voices in public spaces, further isolating and silencing half of the population, and raising concerns about the future of human rights in Afghanistan.

The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice

At the heart of these new restrictions is the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which was restored soon after the group’s return to power in 2021. This ministry, tasked with promoting Islamic values and suppressing what the Taliban considers un-Islamic behavior, has been instrumental in rolling back many of the freedoms that Afghan women had gained in the years following the U.S.-led invasion in 2001.

The new laws, approved by Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, grant the ministry broad powers to punish citizens who violate the rules. Punishments can range from warnings to arrests, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty among the population, particularly women.

Strict Regulations on Women’s Appearance and Behavior

Article 13 of the new laws focuses specifically on women, mandating that they must veil their bodies at all times while in public. This includes wearing a face covering to avoid “tempting” men. The regulations go beyond clothing, dictating that women’s attire should not be too tight or too short.

Perhaps most alarmingly, the Taliban bans women’s voices from being heard in public spaces. Women are forbidden from singing or reading aloud in public, effectively silencing them in the public sphere. Additionally, women are not allowed to look at men unless they are related by blood or marriage, further restricting their interactions and mobility in society.

The new laws also prohibit women from traveling alone, significantly limiting their independence and ability to participate in public life. These restrictions, when combined, amount to a near-total erasure of women from public spaces in Afghanistan.

Taliban Bans Women’s Voices: Cultural and Social Restrictions

While the restrictions on women are the most severe, the new laws also impose broader cultural and social limitations. The document reportedly includes bans on images of living beings and the playing of music, reflecting the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic law.

These regulations extend to various aspects of daily life, including transportation, celebrations, and personal grooming. The comprehensive nature of these laws suggests an attempt by the Taliban to exert control over nearly every aspect of Afghan society.

International Condemnation and Human Rights Concerns

The publication of these new laws follows a July report from the United Nations that accused the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice of human rights violations. The UN report highlighted the arbitrary, severe, and disproportionate nature of punishments for non-compliance with Taliban decrees.

Fiona Frazer, head of the human rights service at the UN mission in Afghanistan, expressed significant concern for all Afghans, especially women and girls. The Taliban, however, has pushed back against these accusations, characterizing the UN report’s contents as false.

The ministry spokesperson, Maulvi Abdul Ghafar Farooq, defended the new laws, stating, “Inshallah we assure you that this Islamic law will be of great help in the promotion of virtue and the elimination of vice.” This statement underscores the Taliban’s commitment to their interpretation of Islamic law, despite international criticism.

Personal Impact and Resistance

The human cost of these restrictions is immense. One Afghan woman, who was just one year away from graduating with a law degree, told Global News that she “couldn’t speak for a few minutes” after learning that she would have to abandon her education. Her statement, “Home is like jail for us and we will fight until we legalize our human basic rights without any discrimination,” reflects the desperation and determination of many Afghan women facing these oppressive laws.

The Taliban’s ban on women’s voices and faces in public represents a significant step backward for human rights in Afghanistan. These new laws not only silence women but also erase them from public life, confining them to the margins of society. As the Taliban bans women’s voices, they not only suppress half of their population but also deprive their nation of the valuable contributions that women can make to society, economy, and culture. The international community must continue to pressure the Taliban regime to respect human rights and women’s freedoms, while supporting the brave Afghan women who continue to resist these oppressive measures. The future of Afghanistan hangs in the balance, and the world must not remain silent as the voices of Afghan women are forcibly silenced.