Taliban Impose Window ban on Afghan Homes to Conceal Women from View
In a chilling move further restricting women’s freedoms,the Taliban has directed that windows in Afghan homes be blocked to prevent women from being seen. This latest decree, issued by Taliban leader hibatullah Akhundzada, applies to both new construction and existing buildings.
The order was detailed in a four-clause decree posted on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, late on Saturday. It specifies that new buildings should not have windows overlooking areas commonly used by women, such as courtyards, kitchens, and wells.
Justifying this alarming measure, the decree, as reported by AFP, states: “Seeing women working in kitchens, in courtyards or collecting water from wells can lead to obscene acts.”
For existing homes with windows that do not comply with this new rule, owners are urged to construct walls or install obstructions to prevent neighbors from seeing inside. this directive fuels concerns about the Taliban’s systematic efforts to erase women from public life.
This follows a pattern of oppressive measures since the Taliban seized power in 2021, after the withdrawal of US and British forces. They have already banned women from workplaces, educational institutions, and public spaces, effectively confining them to their homes.
The Taliban’s grip on Afghan society has tightened further, with a new order barring women from working for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) across the country. The decree, announced by the Ministry of Economy, threatens to cripple humanitarian efforts in Afghanistan, where millions rely on aid.
This latest restriction is part of a broader pattern of the Taliban suppressing women’s rights since their takeover of Afghanistan in 2021. Women are already prohibited from attending schools beyond the sixth grade,accessing higher education,visiting public gyms,and even speaking freely in public.
The Taliban’s new directive mandates the immediate dismissal of all female NGO workers. Failure to comply, the Ministry warned, will result in the revocation of an association’s license to operate in afghanistan.
“This really impacts how we can provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to all the people in Afghanistan,” stated UN associate spokesperson Florencia Soto Nino-Martinez. “We are very concerned about a country where half the population’s rights are being denied and are living in poverty. Many, not just women, are facing a humanitarian crisis.”
The UN has condemned the Taliban’s actions, emphasizing the devastating consequences for Afghan women and the country’s humanitarian situation. The organization has repeatedly called on the Taliban to reverse these restrictive measures.
Despite the Taliban’s claims that they are not hindering aid distribution, reports from the ground paint a different picture. The UN Security Council recently heard testimonies about an increasing number of female Afghan humanitarian workers being prevented from carrying out their essential duties.
“The proportion of humanitarian organizations reporting that their female or male staff were stopped by the taliban’s morality police has also increased,” said Tom Fletcher,a senior UN official.
The Taliban’s crackdown on women’s participation in NGOs further isolates Afghanistan from the international community and exacerbates the already dire humanitarian crisis facing the Afghan people.
## Archyde Interview: Taliban Window Ban on Afghan Homes
**Host:** Welcome back to Archyde, where we delve deeper into the stories shaping our world. Today we’re joined by [Alex Reed Name], a human rights expert specializing in Afghanistan.
[Alex Reed name], thank you for joining us. The Taliban has recently issued a chilling new decree, mandating that windows in Afghan homes be blocked to prevent women from being seen.Could you elaborate on this decree and its implications?
**Alex Reed:**
Thank you for having me.
Yes, the decree issued by taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada is deeply troubling. It instructs that new buildings should not have windows overlooking areas commonly used by women like courtyards,kitchens,and wells. For existing homes, residents are urged to build walls or install obstructions.
The Taliban justifies this measure, claiming that seeing women outside can led to “obscene acts”. While not explicitly stated, this rhetoric clearly reinforces the Taliban’s misogynistic ideology, aiming to erase women from public life.
**Host:** This adds to a string of oppressive measures imposed on Afghan women since the Taliban takeover in 2021. Can you remind our audience of these restrictions, and what they signify?
**Alex Reed:**
Absolutely.Since seizing power, the Taliban has systematically revoked women’s rights.They’ve barred women from workplaces, educational institutions, and public spaces. This latest decree further tightens the vice, literally confining women within the walls of their homes.
This pattern signifies a deliberate attempt to control women’s bodies and autonomy, denying them basic human rights and freedoms. It reflects a fundamentalist interpretation of Islam that entirely disregards women’s agency and contribution to society.
**Host:** What are the social and psychological consequences of such restrictions on Afghan women?
**Alex Reed:**
The impact is devastating.This systematic oppression has led to widespread fear, anxiety, and depression among Afghan women. they’re being denied education, employment, and even the freedom to simply exist in public spaces.
this isolates them, denying them essential social connections and support networks. It jeopardizes their mental and physical well-being, and it stifles their potential. It’s a humanitarian crisis unfolding before our eyes.
**Host:** What are the international calls for action in response to this latest decree?
**Alex Reed:**
The international community has expressed outrage and condemnation. many are urging the Taliban to reverse this decree and respect the fundamental rights of Afghan women.
Though,words alone are insufficient.Concrete action is needed, including targeted sanctions against Taliban officials responsible for these abuses and increased support for womens’ rights organizations operating inside Afghanistan. the world must stand united in demanding an end to this oppression.
**Host:** Thank you, [Alex Reed Name], for shedding light on this critical situation. This is certainly a story we will continue to follow closely.
For further updates and analysis, please visit our website, Archyde.com.
[End of Interview]
## Archyde Interview: Taliban Window Ban on afghan Homes
**Host:** Welcome back to archyde, were we delve deeper into the stories shaping our world.Today we’re joined by **[Alex Reed name]**, a human rights expert specializing in Afghanistan.
**[Alex Reed name]**,thank you for joining us. the Taliban has recently issued a chilling new decree, mandating that windows in Afghan homes be blocked to prevent women from being seen. Could you shed some light on this new rule and its implications?
**Alex Reed:** Thank you for having me. this latest decree is sadly just another step in the Taliban’s systematic dismantling of women’s rights in Afghanistan.It’s ostensibly about “protecting women’s virtue” but in reality,it’s a blatant attempt to confine women to their homes and erase them from public life.
**Host:** This decree specifies that windows in new constructions shouldn’t overlook common areas like courtyards or kitchens, and for existing homes, owners are urged to block existing windows.How widespread is this practice already, and what kind of measures are being taken to enforce this new rule?
**Alex Reed:** It’s tough to say how widespread the implementation is already, but the Taliban have a history of using force and intimidation to enforce their decrees.
We’re hearing reports of Taliban officials visiting homes and demanding compliance.What’s particularly concerning is that this decree further isolates women within their homes, limiting their access to sunlight, fresh air, and even social interaction. It creates an atmosphere of fear and paranoia, effectively making them prisoners in their own houses.
**Host:** The Taliban justifies this decree by claiming it will prevent “obscene acts.” How do you respond to this justification?
**Alex Reed:** This is a classic tactic used by oppressive regimes to control women’s bodies and movements. It blames women for men’s actions and reinforces the patriarchal idea that women are inherently objects to be controlled and hidden. By framing this as a matter of morality, they’re attempting to silence any criticism and legitimize their actions in the eyes of their supporters.
**Host:** this new rule comes on the heels of numerous other restrictions imposed on afghan women, including bans on education, work, and public gatherings. How do these policies collectively affect women’s lives in Afghanistan?
**Alex Reed:** The cumulative effect of these restrictions is devastating. It’s a systematic dismantling of Afghan women’s rights, pushing them out of public life and relegating them to the domestic sphere. This has profound consequences for their physical and mental health, economic well-being, and overall societal participation.
It also has a ripple effect on the Afghan economy and society as a whole, depriving it of the talents and contributions of half its population.
**Host:** We’ve also seen the Taliban ban women from working for NGOs, further hindering humanitarian efforts in a country already facing a severe crisis. What impact will this have on aid delivery and the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan?
**Alex Reed:** This ban on women aid workers will have a catastrophic impact. Women often have access to communities and individuals that men cannot. They play a vital role in reaching vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls who might potentially be hesitant to interact with male aid workers.
This ban will severely limit the reach and effectiveness of humanitarian efforts, perhaps leaving millions of Afghans without access to essential aid and services. It’s a deeply concerning advancement that will exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in the country.
**Host:** What can the international community do to address this situation?
**Alex Reed:** The international community must unequivocally condemn these egregious violations of human rights and put pressure on the Taliban to reverse these policies.
This includes targeted sanctions against Taliban officials responsible for these actions, as well as ongoing diplomatic efforts to advocate for women’s rights.
Moreover, supporting Afghan civil society organizations and activists working to defend women’s rights is crucial. We must ensure that the voices of Afghan women are heard and amplified, and that they are not abandoned in this time of crisis.
