The Taliban in Afghanistan has banned women’s voices and uncovered their faces in public areas, underlined by new decrees legislated by the supreme leader to combat vice and encourage virtue.
According to a government spokesperson, the laws were issued on Wednesday after being approved by Hibatullah Akhundzada, the supreme leader. After taking over power in 2021, the Taliban established a ministry for spreading good morals and preventing bad behavior.
On Wednesday, the ministry published its rules about vice and virtue which reflected on things like transport system, music that is prohibited as well as shaving off hair. They were spelled out in a 114 page document of 35 articles seen by AP and this marks first definite publication of vices and virtues laws since they took control of Afghanistan.
These laws provide ministerial powers whereby those responsible for alleged violation can take actions ranging from verbal caution to arrest or other penalties against Afghan citizens.
Women are referred to under Article 13 where it is compulsory for any woman out there to have her body covered while walking around town or anywhere else around people with whom she is not related through blood ties or marriage. Such clothing should not be transparent, fitting or brief. Women need to conceal themselves when they are before males who are non-Muslims and females who are non-mahram. A woman’s voice was defined as private thus nobody should hear her singing, reciting or reading aloud outside. Women should also avoid eye contact with men who are not their close male relatives as well as vice versa. The law number 19 stops music playing; it prohibits solo female travelers being driven by unknown chauffeurs along with unrelated men and women mixing up together. Moreover passengers and drivers must pray at appointed times according to this law.
