Taliban's Oppressive Regime Takes Toll on Afghan Women's Rights: UN Report

The Taliban's strict rule in Afghanistan is taking a toll on women's rights, as they are being subjected to limitations on their access to work, travel, and healthcare if they are unmarried or do not have a male guardian. According to a UN report, the Vice and Virtue Ministry advised a woman to get married if she wanted to keep her job at a healthcare facility, stating that it was inappropriate for an unwed woman to work. The Taliban have imposed harsh measures, shutting down beauty parlors and enforcing a strict dress code, arresting women who do not comply with their interpretation of the Islamic headscarf, or hijab.

In May 2022, they issued a decree calling for women to only show their eyes and recommending they wear the head-to-toe burqa, similar to restrictions during their previous rule between 1996 and 2001. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reported incidents where the Taliban cracked down on Afghan women who are single or do not have a male guardian accompanying them. Women are being detained or restricted from accessing health facilities and public places without a male guardian, despite there being no official laws about male guardianship in Afghanistan.

The Taliban's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, dismissed the UN report, stating it was based on misunderstandings and accused the mission of ignoring or criticizing Islamic law. Mujahid emphasized that an Islamic government in Afghanistan must fully implement all aspects of Shariah for both men and women, enforcing rules for the hijab, male guardianship, and gender segregation in education and employment. Despite the Taliban's justification, the international community and human rights organizations continue to advocate for the protection and restoration of Afghan women's rights in the face of this oppressive regime.