The Taliban government has introduced a new “Vice and Virtue” law aimed at codifying strict moral and societal regulations in Afghanistan based on their interpretation of Islam. Enforced by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, the new law has intensified scrutiny of public behavior, especially in relation to women’s conduct and the interaction between men and women.
Here’s a breakdown of the new law and its implications:
Key Provisions of the Law
The law, announced on August 21, 2024, consists of 35 articles, many of which have sparked criticism both within Afghanistan and internationally. Key provisions include:
- Restrictions on Women’s Voices: Women are forbidden from raising their voices outside the home and are not allowed to sing or recite poetry in public.
- Gender Segregation: Men and women who are not related are prohibited from looking at each other, and women must cover themselves fully in front of non-Muslim women.
- Dress Code for Men: Men are required to grow beards longer than a fist, wear loose-fitting clothes, and ensure their bodies from the navel to the knee remain covered.
- Bans on Media and Friendships: The media is prohibited from mocking Islam, and Muslims are discouraged from befriending or assisting non-Muslims.
- Prohibited Activities: Certain traditional games, taking or viewing photos of living things, and acts of disobedience toward parents are now outlawed.
Impact on Afghan Society
In the weeks following the law’s introduction, reports of increased enforcement by the Taliban’s morality police have surfaced. In Kabul, women have been warned for traveling without a male chaperone, known as a “mahram,” or for showing parts of their hair or hands in public. Taxi drivers in northern Afghanistan have been reprimanded for transporting women without a male escort, while women in central Parwan have faced criticism for not covering their faces fully.
Men have also been affected, with reports of individuals being stopped for not having beards or wearing western-style clothing. In some public sectors, such as banking, employees have replaced western attire with traditional Afghan dress to comply with the new regulations.
Previous Restrictions Reinforced
Many of the provisions outlined in the new law overlap with restrictions the Taliban had already imposed since returning to power in 2021. Girls have been banned from attending secondary schools and universities, while women have previously been ordered to cover themselves from head to toe in public and travel only with a family member. Public prayer is mandatory, and music in public, gambling, and certain social interactions have been outlawed.
Unanswered Questions and Concerns
The law leaves several grey areas, raising concerns about how it will be enforced. For instance, the law states that women should only leave home for an “urgent need” but does not clarify what qualifies as urgent. Additionally, the ban on friendships or assistance to non-Muslims has sparked questions about whether Afghans can continue working with international organizations, which are crucial to Afghanistan’s economic survival.
The law’s implications for the Taliban’s own dealings with Western nations and the use of media on phones and television also remain unclear. The United Nations raised concerns in July about inconsistencies and ambiguities in the enforcement of morality measures, and it remains to be seen how strictly and uniformly the new law will be applied across the country.
As Afghanistan continues to face significant social and economic challenges, the Taliban’s new “Vice and Virtue” law marks a further tightening of its control over public and private life.
