The Taliban has officially codified a set of morality laws in Afghanistan, mandating that women cover their faces in public and requiring men to grow their beards. This move further solidifies the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic law, which has been increasingly enforced since their return to power in 2021.
Under the new regulations, women must wear a hijab that covers their faces, except for their eyes, when venturing outdoors. Men, on the other hand, are required to grow their beards and adhere to a strict dress code. The laws also dictate that women must accompany a male guardian for long-distance travel and restrict their access to education and employment.
These codified laws have sparked widespread concern among human rights organizations and the international community, who view them as a significant erosion of women’s rights and individual freedoms. Critics argue that the Taliban’s extreme interpretation of Islamic law perpetuates gender-based discrimination and undermines progress made in Afghan society over the past two decades.
As the Taliban continues to consolidate power, the implementation of these morality laws raises questions about the future of Afghanistan’s social and cultural fabric.
