KABUL, Afghanistan — The Japanese embassy in Kabul expressed “deep concern” on Saturday over the Taliban’s ongoing restrictions on women and girls, following the announcement of a new law by the group’s Ministry of Vice and Virtue.
“We once again express our deep concern about the continuing restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan as announced in the PVPV law,” the embassy stated on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Japan emphasized its commitment to advocating for the rights of Afghan women and girls, urging the Taliban to engage with the international community and heed the voices of Afghan women. “We will continue to urge the [Taliban’s] Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the international community, to listen to the voice of Afghan women and girls for education, employment, and freedom of movement for the future of Afghanistan,” the embassy’s statement read.
The expression of concern comes in response to the Taliban’s recent decree, which includes a prohibition on broadcasting women’s voices. An official from the Ministry of Vice and Virtue, speaking to Amu, affirmed the group’s commitment to enforcing the new law and dismissed international criticism as baseless.
The restrictions are the latest in a series of measures by the Taliban that have severely curtailed the rights and freedoms of women and girls since the group returned to power in August 2021, sparking widespread condemnation from governments and human rights organizations around the world.
