Afghanistan Times
Related Articles
KABUL – The Taliban’s supreme leader has issued a decree banning the construction of windows in residential buildings that overlook areas commonly used by women in neighboring homes, a move sparking fresh concerns about restrictions on women in Afghanistan.
In a statement released on December 28, government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid announced that new buildings must avoid including windows that provide views of courtyards, kitchens, wells, or any areas where women might work or gather.
The decree, posted on social media platform X, claimed, “Seeing women working in kitchens, in courtyards, or collecting water from wells can lead to obscene acts.” It also instructed municipal authorities and relevant departments to ensure construction compliance and to encourage homeowners to block or modify existing windows to prevent visibility into neighboring properties.
This latest restriction adds to a long list of measures imposed since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, further erasing women from public and private spaces. These measures have prompted the United Nations to describe the situation as “gender apartheid.”
Under the Taliban’s ultra-strict interpretation of Islamic law, Afghan women are barred from post-primary education, employment in most sectors, and access to public parks and spaces. A recent law has also banned women from singing or reciting poetry in public and instructed them to “veil” their voices and bodies outside their homes.
Some local media outlets have stopped broadcasting female voices altogether, deepening concerns over the erosion of women’s rights.
Despite widespread international condemnation, Taliban authorities continue to insist that their interpretation of Islamic law guarantees the rights of Afghan men and women.
