The Taliban's restriction on women visiting Band-e-Amir, a prominent national park in Afghanistan, has sparked concerns about gender inequality and human rights. The Vice and Virtue Ministry spokesperson shared information that security forces would be deployed to prevent women from entering the park. This move comes as the ministry alleges that women have not been adhering to the prescribed way of wearing the hijab (Islamic headscarf) when visiting the park.
This announcement follows Minister Mohammad Khalid Hanafi's recent visit to the Bamiyan province, during which he expressed dissatisfaction with women not following proper hijab guidelines. Hanafi called for security personnel, religious clerics, and elders to enforce this ban on women's park visits, stating that sightseeing is not essential for them.
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The decision has raised concerns among human rights advocates. Heather Barr, Associate Women's Rights Director at Human Rights Watch, criticized the Taliban's actions, pointing out that this ban adds to the long list of restrictions placed on Afghan women, which includes limited access to education, employment, and public spaces, AP reported.
This development is part of a broader pattern of regressive policies implemented by the Taliban since they assumed control of Afghanistan. Following their takeover in August 2021, the Taliban introduced a series of measures targeting women and girls, such as banning girls from secondary schools, restricting women's movement, prohibiting sports participation, and enforcing strict dress codes.
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The incremental erosion of women's rights has attracted international condemnation, even from Muslim-majority countries. This recent ban on women visiting the national park further highlights the narrowing space for Afghan women in public life. It is seen as part of a systematic effort to marginalize and confine them within the confines of their homes.
In this context, the closure of beauty salons in July 2023 marked another blow to women's liberties and the Afghan economy. With around 60,000 women employed in the beauty industry, this decision not only curtailed opportunities but also underscored the extent to which the Taliban's policies have curbed women's independence and participation in society.
The series of bans, including those on education, work, and now park visits, paint a grim picture of Afghan women's rights and freedoms under the Taliban regime
