The Taliban has implemented a new law titled “Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice,” which enforces a strict interpretation of Islamic law. This law severely restricts the rights of Afghan women, mandating that they cover their entire bodies and faces. Furthermore, women's voices are deemed intimate and should not be heard in public spaces.
Interactions between unrelated men and women are heavily regulated, and all forms of entertainment are banned. Men also face dress code restrictions. The enforcement of these rules falls under the purview of the Muhtasib, or morality police, who have been given the authority to search personal devices and punish violators.
The Muhtasib serve as the Taliban's morality police, tasked with ensuring compliance with the new morality laws. They possess the power to impose punishments for violations, which can include up to three days in prison. Their responsibilities also extend to inspecting mobile phones and laptops to prevent the sharing of images featuring living beings and to ensure that music or women's voices do not emanate from homes.
Afghanistan has experienced fluctuating levels of women’s rights throughout its history. In the early 20th century, women in Afghanistan enjoyed significant rights, including the right to vote. By the 1980s, many women held influential roles as ministers, judges, and professionals.
However, during the Taliban's regime from 1996 to 2001, women faced extreme repression. Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, they have progressively rolled back the freedoms that Afghan women had gained over the past two decades, imposing increasingly draconian measures.
Despite the oppressive environment, many Afghan women have shown remarkable defiance. Some have taken to social media, posting videos of themselves singing or speaking out, fully aware of the potential consequences. Others have organized street protests, risking severe punishment to voice their dissent.
Additionally, many women engage in covert forms of resistance, such as setting up underground schools to educate girls, demonstrating that the new law has not entirely silenced their spirit.
The international community has reacted strongly to the Taliban's new law. The United Nations has condemned it as oppressive and intolerable, urging for its repeal. Despite this, the UN continues to engage with the Taliban, although the Taliban has recently shown reluctance to cooperate with the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.
Critics argue that the political pressure exerted on the Taliban has been insufficient, which may have emboldened them to enforce such restrictive laws. India's Ministry of External Affairs has also expressed concern, reiterating its support for women's education and the importance of establishing an inclusive government in Afghanistan.
Q1. What does the Taliban's new law enforce regarding women's rights?
Answer: The Taliban's new law enforces strict Islamic principles, requiring women to cover their bodies and faces and restricting their voices and public interactions.
Q2. Who are the Muhtasib in the context of the Taliban's regime?
Answer: The Muhtasib are the Taliban's morality police, empowered to enforce laws on morality, punish violators, and inspect personal devices for compliance.
Q3. What historical changes have occurred in women's rights in Afghanistan?
Answer: Women's rights in Afghanistan have fluctuated, with notable advancements in the early 20th century, followed by severe repression during the Taliban's previous regime and recent restrictions since 2021.
Q4. How have Afghan women responded to the new morality law?
Answer: Many Afghan women have protested against the law through social media, public demonstrations, and covert education initiatives, showcasing their resilience.
Q5. What is the international response to the Taliban's enforcement of this law?
Answer: The international community, including the UN, has condemned the law, calling for its repeal while continuing to engage with the Taliban despite their non-cooperation.
Question 1: What is the main focus of the Taliban's new morality law?
A) Women's education
B) Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice
C) International relations
D) Economic reforms
Correct Answer: B
Question 2: What authority do the Muhtasib hold under the new law?
A) Enforcing trade regulations
B) Policing moral conduct
C) Granting educational licenses
D) Managing international aid
Correct Answer: B
Question 3: How did women's rights evolve in Afghanistan during the 20th century?
A) They declined steadily
B) They were abolished entirely
C) They saw significant advancements
D) They remained unchanged
Correct Answer: C
Question 4: What forms of protest have Afghan women engaged in against the new law?
A) Armed rebellion
B) Social media activism and street protests
C) Economic boycotts
D) Political campaigns
Correct Answer: B
Question 5: What has been a key criticism of the international response to the Taliban's new law?
A) Too much engagement
B) Insufficient political pressure
C) Lack of humanitarian aid
D) Overemphasis on trade relations
Correct Answer: B
Kutos : AI Assistant!
