The Taliban in Afghanistan has ordered all female TV presenters to cover their faces on air, The Guardian reports.
The latest order came in a statement from the Taliban’s information and culture ministry as well as the virtue and vice ministry, which is responsible for enforcing the group’s rulings. The statement said the order was “final and non-negotiable.”
The statement was sent to Moby Group, the company that owns Tolo News — the biggest outlet in the country — and several other television and radio networks. The rules are also being applied to other Afghan media as well.
Stations are saying they have no other option but to comply.
Several female anchors and presenters posted photos on social media that show themselves with their faces covered with masks while they presented their programs.
Prominent presenters posted videos and photos with captions about women being erased on orders from the virtue and vice ministry.
On one station, implementation was mixed, with one anchor with a face mask on, and another anchor going without.
When the Taliban was first in power from 1996 to 2001, they imposed overwhelming restrictions on women. Under their rule, women were required to wear the all-encompassing burqa that covers eyes with mesh. Women were completely barred from public life and education.
After seizing power in Afghanistan again last year in 2021, the Taliban initially said they were going to be moderate in their restrictions and that women would be allowed to live more freely this time around.
But in recent weeks, the Taliban has taken a sharp, hardline pivot. It confirmed the worst fears of human rights and women’s rights activists in Afghanistan and around the world.
Earlier in May, the Taliban ordered all women in public must wear head-to-toe clothing that only leaves their eyes visible. The decree said women should only leave their homes when it is necessary, and that their male relatives would be punished if women violated dress codes.
Girls have also been barred from school after sixth grade, which was a complete reversal on promises made by the Taliban that girls of all ages would still be allowed their rights to education.
Be the first to comment