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Taliban directive prevents women from taking long journeys without a male escort

The Taliban had promised that it wouldn't curb women's rights

Afghanistan Desperate Times Photo Gallery Women queue to receive cash at a money distribution organised by the World Food Program in Kabul, Afghanistan, on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021 | AP

The Taliban, on Sunday, made a move that further restricted Afghan women. A directive by the ministry for the promotion of virtue and prevention of vice said that women won't be able to travel further than 72 kilometres unless accompanied by a male relative. The directive also requires that taxi drivers only accept women passengers who are wearing the Islamic headdress or hijab.

Ministry spokesman Sadiq Akif Mahajer defended the restrictions calling them Sharia law. In yet another move restricting women, acting Afghan higher education Minister Abdul Baqi Haqqani on Sunday said ''co-education is against Islamic values.''

In November, the Taliban government passed a directive that banned television content-- soaps and dramas or series featuring women. It was also directed that women news anchors must wear headscarves of hijab.

The Taliban, when it took over in August, had promised a softer rule and ensured they wouldn't curb women's rights, but, the group clearly isn't keeping their promise. “One of our big issues in terms of any conversations with the Taliban is exactly this point, which is the condition, the status and the treatment of women and girls, including for girls, access to education,” US Vice President Kamala Harris told CBS News.

“I worry that the Taliban has not complied with what we know to be the appropriate treatment and the right treatment of girls and women. That is one of our greatest considerations and concerns.” The Taliban government hasn't been recognised by any of the major western powers. Human Rights Watch blasted the guidance.

"This new order essentially moves... further in the direction of making women prisoners," Heather Barr, director of women's rights of the Human Rights Watch said.

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