Taliban’s New Laws: The Taliban in Afghanistan has introduced a set of harsh laws that are being widely condemned as a form of living death for women. These new regulations, which severely restrict women’s rights and freedoms, have been denounced by the United Nations and various human rights organizations for their inhumane nature.
Women Silenced and Hidden
The Taliban’s Supreme Leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada, has sanctioned these oppressive laws, which categorize women’s behaviour into what is deemed ‘good’ and ‘bad.’ Under these laws, women are now required to fully cover their faces and bodies with thick fabric whenever they are in public. This draconian measure is justified by the Taliban as a means to prevent men from being distracted by the sight of women.
In addition, these laws go as far as to declare that a woman’s voice is a potential distraction. As a result, women are prohibited from speaking in public places, singing, or even raising their voices within their homes.
Severe Punishments for Non-Compliance
The new regulations are particularly strict regarding interactions with men. If a woman must leave her home for any reason, she must conceal her voice, body, and face entirely. Moreover, women are forbidden from looking at men who are not their family members or spouses. Taxi drivers who allow women to travel alone in their vehicles will also face severe punishments.
Restrictions Extended to Men
The laws also impose certain restrictions on men, such as requiring them to cover their bodies up to the knees when leaving their homes. Any woman found violating these rules will be immediately detained and subjected to the harshest penalties, as determined by Taliban officials tasked with enforcing these laws.
These new laws represent a significant regression in women’s rights in Afghanistan, pushing the boundaries of what is considered acceptable treatment of women in modern society. The international community continues to voice its strong opposition, but the situation for Afghan women remains dire.
