Women Detained in Kabul and Herat Raise Alarm Over Dress Code Crackdown

Following the recent crackdown on women for not adhering to dress codes in Kabul and Herat, many women are facing serious concerns. Statistics indicate that the Taliban’s Ministry of Vice and Virtue is responsible for these stringent measures.

Increase in Women’s Detentions Over Dress Codes in Kabul and Herat

In recent weeks, a surge in the arrest of women accused of not following the dress guidelines in Kabul and Herat has created a wave of anxiety among the female population. The actions taken by the Taliban’s Ministry of Vice and Virtue have negatively impacted the psychological security of women in these areas.

At Least 82 Women Detained in Kabul and Herat for Dress Code Violations

According to reports from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), at least 30 women were detained in Herat in June. Furthermore, between July and September, a minimum of 52 women and one girl were apprehended in Kabul and Herat for various reasons including showing hair, wearing colorful shawls, using makeup, or not being accompanied by a male guardian.

Taliban’s Ministry of Vice and Virtue Remains Silent Amid Criticism

Despite the circulation of images and videos depicting violent encounters on social media, Saif-ul-Islam Khyber, spokesperson for the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, has refrained from responding to media inquiries. Taliban officials have previously justified these actions as enforcement of Islamic principles.

Human Rights Activists Criticize Global Silence on Women’s Rights Suppression

Julia Parsi, a women’s rights advocate, labeled these detentions as “systematic suppression” and criticized the global community for its silence. She emphasized that this trend severely violates women’s basic rights to mobility and even the most elementary rights regarding dress code.

Taliban Measures Against Women Have a Damaging Psychological Impact

Reports from victims of these detentions reveal further dimensions of these confrontations. One woman from Kabul shared that she was wrongfully arrested after her phone was searched, spending time in provincial jails and Pul-e-Charkhi. Additionally, in Herat, some girls have been detained even while fully covered.