With inputs from agencies, the ‘Taliban’ has now ordered that new buildings should not have windows. As through windows, it is possible to see “the courtyard, kitchen, neighbor’s well and other places. These places are usually used by women. Seeing women in such areas can “lead to obscene acts”.
Afghanistan rulers ‘Taliban’ has recently issued a new order effectively stonewalling women from the public eye. The new order bans the construction of windows in residential buildings that overlook areas used by the Afghan women, including the kitchen and communal wells.
The country’s orthodox rulers claim that seeing women in kitchens or such areas can “lead to obscene acts”.
In a statement released, the Taliban government has instructed citizens to ensure that new buildings do not have windows through which it is possible to see “the courtyard, kitchen, neighbor’s well and other places usually used by women”. Additionally, buildings that already have such windows would be encouraged to seal them.
On social media platform X, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid shared: “Seeing women working in kitchens, in courtyards or collecting water from wells can lead to obscene acts.”
To ensure compliance, the nation’s municipal and other relevant authorities have been tasked with monitoring construction sites. They will ensure that it is not possible for people to look into their neighbor’s house.
The decree also specified that in instances where such windows already exist, building owners would be asked to put up a wall or seal the window to obstruct the view “to avoid nuisances caused to neighbors”.
Protecting women or Hiding women?
Protecting women or Hiding women?
In the almost 3.5 years since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the Afghan rulers have issued a number of diktats progressively erasing women from public life in Afghanistan.
The Taliban authorities have forced women to don a hijab or “veil” outside their homes. It has also banned post-primary education for girls and women, restricted their employment and even blocked their access to public spaces, including parks.
A recent law even banned their voices from being heard in public. It prohibited them from singing and reciting poetry in public under the stringent Islamic laws. Due to this, some radio and local television stations have also stopped broadcasting female voices.
The Taliban, which also refers to itself by its state name, the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’, is an Afghan political and militant movement. As per sources, it is with an ideology comprising elements of Pashtun nationalism and the Deobandi movement of Islamic fundamentalism. It ruled approximately 75% of Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001, before it was overthrown by an American invasion after the September 11th attacks carried out by the Taliban’s ally ‘’al-Qaeda.
The Taliban recaptured Kabul in August 2021 following the departure of coalition forces, after 20 years of Taliban insurgency, and now controls the entire country. The Taliban government has been internationally condemned for restricting women’s rights to work and have an education. The Taliban emerged in 1994 as a prominent faction in the Afghan Civil War. In 1996, the group established the First Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. During their rule from 1996 to 2001, the Taliban enforced a strict interpretation of Sharia, or Islamic law.
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