Taliban Bans Construction of Windows Overlooking 'Women’s Areas'

The leader of the Taliban in Afghanistan has issued a directive prohibiting the construction of windows in residential buildings that overlook areas used by women, and existing windows must be blocked. According to a statement released by the Taliban government spokesperson, new buildings should not have windows that allow visibility into 'yards, kitchens, wells of neighbors, and other places typically used by women.' The decree, issued by Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Taliban, and shared by Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban government spokesperson on social media platform X, states that 'seeing women while they work in the kitchen, yard, or while collecting water from wells can lead to immoral acts.' The five-article directive stipulates that municipal officials and other relevant departments must ensure that visibility into neighboring homes is not possible. If such windows exist, property owners are advised to prevent 'potential harassment of neighbors' by constructing walls or blocking views. This action has sparked negative reactions from Afghan women's rights activists, with Sho'la Parsi, a member of the 'Lantern of Women's Freedom Movement,' telling Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Afghan service that 'this decree is not only a blatant example of the oppression and humiliation of Afghan women but also affects the daily lives and decision-making rights of citizens. This extreme decision, justified under the pretext of controlling privacy, is actually another attempt to isolate women from society.' The UN Security Council has expressed 'deep concern' over the Taliban's increasing restrictions on women. According to Radio Free Europe, some interviewed Afghan citizens consider this law 'compatible' with traditional practices in the country but have criticized the Taliban's focus on women in most of its decrees. The Taliban's Ministry of Economy reiterated on Sunday, January 9, the prohibition of hiring women in NGOs and warned that any organization violating this order would have its activities suspended and its license revoked. This directive is similar to one issued in December 2022, which suspended the employment of Afghan women in NGOs until further notice. Despite the Taliban's claims of issuing 9,000 work permits for women and their participation in the workforce, critics argue that these restrictions have effectively removed Afghan women from social and economic activities. Since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, women have gradually been excluded from public spaces, with the United Nations condemning this situation as 'gender apartheid.' Taliban officials have banned education for girls and women beyond primary school, restricted employment, and blocked women's access to parks and other public places. Under a newly enacted law, women are even prohibited from reading or reciting poetry in public spaces, and the Taliban government has demanded that women 'veil' their voices when outside the home in the strict enforcement of Islamic laws. Some local radio and television stations have also stopped broadcasting women's voices. The United Nations previously reported that the Taliban has issued over fifty repressive decrees against women. The Taliban government claims that Islamic laws 'guarantee' the rights of Afghan men and women.