Taliban’s new decree in Afghanistan

Women face a new challenge after the regime change in Afghanistan

Now the Taliban– an extremist Islamic movement which rules Afghanistan has ordered women now to cover themselves completely from head to toe when they are seen in public. The new regime took over Afghanistan in August and have made a decree for females to be covered in burqas when they leave from indoors.

A decree was issued last Saturday by the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. The decree is an example of what administration changes can do to a society in regards of human rights.

The restriction is not to be broken or consequences shall be paid for going against the Taliban’s decree. In Afghanistan the restrictions seem to get tighter by day because of the Taliban’s victory overthrowing the capital Kabul in August. Furthermore, witnessing what is taken place in Afghanistan is not a major surprise to the world. It is not something which is damaging because females must cover themselves fully, but the underlining issue is females are getting stripped of their freedom.

 According to reporter Hannah Hummel women have lost “their right to be seen in public.” The Taliban are not just against women, but they make sure to start with the little girls, preventing them from receiving a proper education. Boys on the other hand can attend schools with no decree hindering them according to their age. The Taliban has strict rules in place for women and girls in schools and higher learning. Girls above grade 6 are not allowed to attend school.

It is an important issue but has not gained as much recognition as it should after the West retreated out of Afghanistan in August. According to Diva Patang a former Afghanistan National Television Presenter, “the strategy they had for Afghanistan is failing.” The punishment paid for women not following direct orders will not be paid first by the female caught in the crime, but by the man of the household. The male guardian in the household will receive jail time in regards of the woman’s disobedience.

What is worrisome, is the fact that this is a pattern which will start with young girls and continue when they become women. The Taliban putting extreme pressure on females will cause a stigma for some individuals living in Afghanistan. The boys will become men that think twice before getting involved in a committed relationship with a female. Furthermore, they have the tough choice on whether they would like to be in a committed relationship with someone that can possibly cause them to receive jail time for being disobedient to the decree of the Taliban.