Taliban’s New Rule Silences Afghan Women Further
The Taliban in Afghanistan have introduced a new rule that further restricts the voices of Afghan women. Khalid Hanafi, the Minister for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, announced that women are now banned from hearing each other’s voices. He stated that a woman’s voice is considered “awrah,” meaning it should not be heard in public. This rule extends to prohibiting women from singing or making music.
Human rights activists have criticized this move, stating it further erases women from public life. Zohal Azra from the Australian Hazara Advocacy Network highlighted the Taliban’s systematic approach to oppressing women, involving over 105 decrees enforced through violence. Amnesty International’s Zaki Haidari called for urgent global intervention, describing the situation as “gender apartheid.”
United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres has expressed concern over the oppressive measures in Afghanistan. Despite the Taliban’s claims of safeguarding women, the situation for Afghan women continues to deteriorate.
Doubts Revealed
Taliban -: The Taliban is a group in Afghanistan that follows a strict version of Islamic law. They have been in power at different times and are known for imposing very strict rules, especially on women.
Afghanistan -: Afghanistan is a country in South Asia, near India. It has faced many years of conflict and is currently under the control of the Taliban.
Awrah -: In Islamic terms, ‘awrah’ refers to parts of the body that should be covered and not exposed in public. The Taliban is using this term to say that a woman’s voice should not be heard publicly.
Human rights activists -: These are people who work to protect and promote the basic rights and freedoms that all humans should have. They are speaking out against the Taliban’s new rule because it takes away women’s rights.
Global intervention -: This means that people and countries from around the world are being asked to help solve a problem. In this case, activists want the world to help Afghan women who are facing more restrictions.