The Taliban regime orders Afghan women to cover themselves from head to toe in public

The Taliban regime ordered this Saturday that all Afghan women must cover themselves from head to toe in public, a strict order that confirms the worst fears of human rights activists and further complicates their relationship with the international community. 

The decree requires women to show only their eyes and advocates wearing the burqa from head to toe, evoking similar restrictions against women under the previous regime of 1996 and 2001.

"We want them to live in dignity and safety," said Khalid Hanafi, acting Minister for Leisure and Virtue.

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The Taliban had already made other decisions against women's rights, such as closing schools for girls from the 6th grade.

The breach of his promise not to intensify his misogynistic policy provoked the rejection of the international community.

As a consequence, the regime faces difficulties in obtaining potential international donations at a time when the country is mired in a humanitarian crisis.

An Afghan woman walks through the old market as a Taliban fighter stands guard in downtown Kabul, Afghanistan, Tuesday, May 3, 2022. Ebrahim Noroozi / AP

"For all dignified Afghan women, it is necessary to wear hijab and even better if the hijab is chadori (burka from head to toe), which is part of our tradition and is respectful," said Shir Mohammad, an official with the Ministry of Recreation and The virtue.

“Those women who are not very old or who are very young must cover their faces, except for the eyes,” he added.

The decree adds that if women do not have any relevant work outside the home, it is better that they do not go out on the street.

"Islamic principles and Islamic ideology are more important to us than anything else," Hanafi said.

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The Taliban were ousted in 2001 by a US-led coalition in its offensive against al Qaeda following attacks in Washington and New York, but returned to power after the chaotic US withdrawal last year.

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Since taking power in August 2021, the Taliban have suffered internal struggles in their transition from war to government, with the most radical facing off with the pragmatists.

Many young people, like Sirajuddin Haqqani, are educating their girls in Pakistan, after Afghan women were targeted by decisions restricting their rights, such as the decision that they were prohibited from going to school from the sixth grade.

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While universities opened earlier this year in much of the country, the Taliban have maintained erratic behavior and decisions since taking power.

While a handful of provinces continued to provide education for all, most closed educational institutions for girls and women.

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The Taliban regime, which follows the dictates of religion, fears that going ahead with enrolling girls beyond the sixth grade could drain support from its rural base, Hashmi said.

In the capital of Kabul, private schools have been running without interruption.