Women who wish to travel long distances in Afghanistan must be accompanied by a man from their close family. The Taliban announced this today. It is a new signal that the radical Islamic regime is once again tightening the thumbscrews on women despite previous promises.
The recommendation, published by the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, circulated on social media on Sunday. Drivers are also being urged to only allow women to board their vehicles if they are wearing the “Islamic veil”.
The directive comes a few weeks after the same ministry asked the Afghan television channels to stop broadcasting serials and soap operas in which women play a part. And female journalists and presenters are required to wear an “Islamic veil” when appearing on screen.
The Taliban do not specify what they mean by an “Islamic veil”. Is that a simple veil like the majority of Afghan women already wear, or is it a headscarf that covers more?
Since returning to power in August, the Taliban have imposed several restrictions on women and girls, despite initial promises that their regimes would be less strict than during their first reign between 1996 and 2001.
During that period, it was compulsory for women to wear a burqa, which covers the entire body and does not cover the eyes. They were allowed to leave the house only when accompanied by a man and they had no right to work and study. Even now, many Afghan girls cannot go to school.
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