Summary
The Taliban’s enactment of the “vice and virtue” law marks a significant escalation in the systematic oppression of women in Afghanistan, further entrenching severe restrictions on their rights and freedoms. Under this law, women are prohibited from speaking, singing, or praying aloud in public, and they are required to cover their faces and bodies completely when outside. These measures not only aim to silence women but also justify the use of violence against them for noncompliance.
Since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, they have progressively rolled back two decades of advancements in women’s rights, issuing over 100 decrees that violate both international and Afghan national laws. The “vice and virtue” law, one of the most repressive measures introduced, seeks to erase women’s visibility in public life, mandating that they conceal their voices and bodies. This law is enforced by the Ministry of Virtue and Vice, which has replaced the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, and it empowers morality police to impose punishments for violations, including physical violence and imprisonment. The implications of this law extend beyond individual freedoms; it reflects a broader strategy to control women’s roles in society and restrict their participation in public life, effectively rendering them faceless and voiceless.
Key Provisions of the Law
- Silencing Women: Women are forbidden from speaking, singing, or praying aloud in public settings.
- Mandatory Covering: The law requires women to cover their entire bodies and faces when outside their homes.
- Severe Punishments: Violations of these restrictions can lead to beatings, detention, or worse, as enforced by the Taliban’s morality police.
Broader Context
The international community has responded with condemnation, emphasizing that such laws represent a significant regression in human rights. U.N. officials have described the Taliban’s treatment of women as comparable to some of the most egregious systems of oppression in recent history. The Taliban’s actions have led to widespread calls for accountability and a reevaluation of diplomatic engagement with their regime, particularly in light of their refusal to reverse these oppressive measures. As Afghanistan becomes increasingly isolated, the plight of Afghan women remains a focal point of international concern, highlighting the urgent need for advocacy and support.
Oct. 10 / Home | Triblive.com / Reiterates the severe consequences of the Taliban's "vice and virtue" law, detailing its oppressive measures against women. The authors' expertise lends credibility, making it a compelling analysis of human rights violations. “ Since returning to power three years ago, the Taliban have been enforcing oppressive laws that violate people’s freedoms and human rights, especially those...
Taliban publicly flog 9 Afghan men, women despite UN outcry
Oct. 9 / Voanews / Details the Taliban's attempts to gain international recognition while reinforcing oppressive laws. The juxtaposition of diplomatic aspirations and human rights abuses illustrates the complexities of engagement with the regime. “ Hardline Taliban authorities in Afghanistan reported Wednesday that nine people, including at least two women, were publicly flogged after being convicted of...
Gender, nationality ‘sufficient’ to grant Afghan women asylum: Top EU court
Oct. 4 / Al Jazeera / Explores the European Court of Justice ruling that recognizes gender and nationality as sufficient grounds for asylum for Afghan women. This legal perspective broadens the conversation on refugee rights amidst Taliban oppression. “ The ruling follows Austria’s refusal to recognise the refugee status of two Afghan women. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that gender and...
US special envoy for Taliban-ruled Afghanistan moved to different role
Oct. 2 / Voanews / Highlights the reassignment of the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan, emphasizing ongoing diplomatic efforts while underscoring frustrations with the Taliban's human rights abuses, particularly against women. “ The United States has reassigned its special representative for Afghanistan, leaving vacant a key position in its efforts to engage with the Taliban-ruled...
How the Taliban's new 'vice and virtue' law erases women by justifying violence against them
Sep. 30 / Phys.org / Reiterates Meryl Streep's remarks on the plight of Afghan women, emphasizing the absurdity of their situation. The article effectively captures the international community's response to the Taliban's oppression. “ September 30, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes...
Cats have more freedom than women in Afghanistan, Meryl Streep says
Sep. 24 / Nbc News / Examines the Taliban's enforcement of harsh punishments, including public flogging. The article's focus on the brutality faced by women and men alike highlights the regime's violent approach to governance. “ A female cat has more freedom in Afghanistan than a woman does, Hollywood actor Meryl Streep said at the United Nations on Monday in a bid to get world...
Cats have more freedom than Afghan women - Meryl Streep
Sep. 24 / The Bbc / Meryl Streep's poignant comparison between the freedoms of cats and women in Afghanistan underscores the absurdity of the situation. Her appeal at the UN adds a celebrity voice to the urgent human rights crisis. “ Cats have more freedom than women in Afghanistan, Hollywood actress Meryl Streep has said in an appeal to the international community to stop the Taliban's...
As Taliban starts restricting men, too, some regret not speaking up sooner
Sep. 22 / The Portland Press Herald / Addresses the unexpected restrictions now imposed on Afghan men alongside women's oppression. This dual focus reveals a shift in Taliban governance and the broader implications of their moral policing. “ As the Taliban starts enforcing draconian new rules on women in Afghanistan, it has also begun to target a group that didn’t see tight restrictions on them...
Taliban formally seek invitation to Russia’s BRICS summit
Sep. 25 / Voanews / Focuses on the Taliban's formal request to join the BRICS summit, signaling their desire for legitimacy. The article highlights the international community's stance on women's rights as a barrier to recognition. “ Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban confirmed Wednesday that they have formally sought to join the upcoming Russia-hosted summit of the BRICS intergovernmental...
As Taliban starts restricting men too, some regret not speaking up sooner
Sep. 22 / The Washington Post / Discusses the Taliban's new restrictions on men, revealing a growing climate of fear and submission. This perspective adds depth to the understanding of Taliban policies and their impact on Afghan society. “ As the Taliban starts enforcing draconian new rules on women in Afghanistan, it has also begun to target a group that didn’t see tight restrictions on them...
The Taliban Is Trying to Silence Women. We Cannot Stand Silent | Opinion
Sep. 16 / Newsweek / Highlights the alarming erosion of women's rights in Afghanistan since the Taliban's return, emphasizing the recent "vice and virtue" law. The call for international action adds urgency to the discourse. “ Since August 2021, the world has witnessed a complete erosion of human rights in Afghanistan. The situation of women and girls under the controlled...