In a deeply concerning move, the Taliban has introduced a new decree that prohibits women from speaking or showing their faces in public, marking yet another severe restriction on women’s rights in Afghanistan. Since regaining control of the country in August 2021, the Taliban has systematically rolled back many of the freedoms that Afghan women fought hard to secure over the past two decades, and this latest mandate is a stark reminder of their ongoing repression.

Under this new ban, women are not only forbidden from speaking in public spaces but are also required to keep their faces fully covered when outside their homes. This policy further isolates women from public life, denying them the right to be seen, heard, and to participate in society. The Taliban claims that such measures are meant to “protect women’s dignity,” but in reality, these rules strip away their basic human rights and reduce them to invisibility.

The ban is the latest in a series of oppressive actions, including restricting access to education, barring women from most workplaces, and imposing strict dress codes. Women’s rights activists worldwide have expressed outrage and called for urgent international action to address this blatant disregard for human rights.

These new restrictions are a severe blow to the progress Afghan women have made over the years. As the world watches, it remains crucial to amplify the voices of those who continue to resist and advocate for the rights and dignity of Afghan women.

What is the Taliban?

The Taliban, an Islamic fundamentalist group, emerged in the early 1990s in northern Pakistan following the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. Comprised initially of Afghan religious students (“Taliban” translates to “students” in Pashto), the group quickly gained power by promising to restore peace, security, and a strict interpretation of Islamic law (Sharia) to war-torn Afghanistan. By 1996, the Taliban had taken control of Kabul, Afghanistan’s capital, and established the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, ruling with an iron fist until 2001.

The Taliban’s rule was characterized by harsh laws and severe restrictions, particularly on women’s rights. They banned women from working, attending school, and appearing in public without a male guardian and full-body covering. Music, television, and many forms of art were outlawed, and punishments like public executions and amputations were frequently used to enforce their rules.

After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the U.S.-led coalition ousted the Taliban from power for providing sanctuary to al-Qaeda and its leader, Osama bin Laden. However, the Taliban regrouped as an insurgent force, waging a relentless war against the Afghan government and coalition forces.

In August 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops, the Taliban swiftly regained control of Afghanistan, promising a more moderate rule but quickly reverting to their earlier policies, especially restricting women’s rights. Today, the Taliban remains a significant force, drawing international concern over their governance and human rights practices.