In newly released remarks from a recent visit to Kunduz, Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada described the faces of women and girls as “a source of temptation” and emphasized that they should be covered in public.
His comments, aired on Taliban-run national television, were part of a speech reaffirming the Taliban’s commitment to enforcing a strict interpretation of Sharia law across Afghanistan.
“The faces of women and girls are a source of temptation, but young people, influenced by 20 years of American presence, do not understand this,” Akhundzada said in the audio message. “Now is the time for full implementation of Sharia in Afghanistan.”
This statement follows previous Taliban edicts, including the group’s “Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice” law, which deems women’s faces and voices as ‘awrah’—parts of the body that must be concealed—and prohibits women from leaving their homes without a male guardian.
These rules have drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations and human rights organizations.
‘An insult’ to women
Afghan citizens have voiced strong opposition to Akhundzada’s remarks, calling them insulting to women. Many argue that rather than restricting women, the Taliban should focus on addressing the humanitarian and Islamic needs of the Afghan people.
“Instead of insulting women, the Taliban should pay attention to the demands of the Afghan people,” said one Kabul resident who asked to remain anonymous. “Women are sisters, wives, and mothers, and they should not be disrespected.”
Human rights activists have condemned the Taliban leader’s stance as a violation of fundamental human rights. “The Taliban’s rigid ideology is aimed at restricting women and curtailing human rights in Afghanistan,” said Sima Noori, a human rights advocate. “Their leader’s position is a clear violation of women’s rights and human rights in general.”
The Taliban’s harsh policies, including their newly codified laws on morality, have faced widespread international condemnation. At the recent 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, representatives from several countries, including U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, denounced the Taliban’s treatment of women as misogynistic and contrary to international human rights standards.
