Local authorities will need to monitor construction sites to ensure that new buildings do not compromise the privacy of neighboring homes, preventing any direct line of sight into private spaces. This measure is designed to protect residents' privacy and maintain public decorum.
The Taliban’s supreme leader has issued a directive prohibiting the construction of windows in residential buildings that overlook areas primarily used by Afghan women, including courtyards, kitchens, and wells. The order also mandates that any existing windows offering views into these spaces be sealed. According to a statement from the Taliban government spokesman, new buildings must avoid windows that allow visibility into locations where women typically gather or work.
Taliban Ban on Windows Overlooking Women’s Spaces to Prevent Privacy Invasions
The decree, shared by government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on social media platform X, asserts that seeing women in kitchens, courtyards, or gathering water from wells could lead to “obscene acts.” To enforce this, municipal authorities and relevant departments will be responsible for overseeing construction sites to ensure that no windows provide visibility into neighboring homes. If such windows are found, building owners will be urged to erect walls or block the view to prevent disturbances to neighbors, as outlined in the decree.
Strict Restrictions on Women: Education, Employment,Health and Public Life Under Strict Islamic Law
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, women in Afghanistan have faced increasing restrictions, with the United Nations condemning the regime’s practices as “gender apartheid.” The Taliban has implemented a series of harsh measures, including banning girls and women from attending post-primary education, limiting employment opportunities, and blocking access to public spaces such as parks. Additionally, a new law prohibits women from publicly singing or reciting poetry, enforcing a strict interpretation of Islamic law that mandates women to “veil” both their voices and bodies when outside their homes.
Taliban’s Claim of Islamic Law “Guaranteeing” Women’s Rights Amidst Restrictions on Female Voices
In recent times, many local radio and television stations in Afghanistan have ceased broadcasting female voices, further intensifying the already severe restrictions on women’s freedoms under the Taliban’s rule. The Taliban administration justifies these measures by asserting that Islamic law “guarantees” the rights of both Afghan men and women. However, the actions taken by the government contradict this claim, as women continue to face significant limitations in various aspects of public and private life. These restrictions raise critical concerns about the true interpretation and application of Islamic principles under the Taliban’s governance. Despite their rhetoric, the reality for women in Afghanistan remains one of repression and limited access to basic freedoms.
Taliban Bans Women’s Voices: A Stricter Interpretation of Islamic Law
The Taliban has imposed severe restrictions on women in Afghanistan, including a ban on their voices being heard, even among other women. Khalid Hanafi, the Taliban’s Minister for Virtue, declared that women are prohibited from reciting prayers, calling the Islamic call to prayer (athan), or singing. Hanafi explained that a woman’s voice is considered “awrah,” meaning it must be concealed in public and cannot be heard by others, even other women. The Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law extends further, as female healthcare workers are also banned from interacting with male companions of their patients.
These oppressive measures reflect the Taliban’s growing control over women’s rights and freedoms, emphasizing their rigid approach to Islamic law. By silencing women’s voices in every aspect of life, the Taliban continues to tighten its grip on Afghan society, leaving women with even fewer rights and opportunities. These actions raise critical questions about the future of women’s rights in Afghanistan under Taliban rule.As a result, the hopes for gender equality, women’s empowerment, and the advancement of their rights under international norms now seem dim in the current scenario. The future of women’s rights in Afghanistan remains uncertain, with growing concerns over the long-term impact of such regressive policies.
