The Afghan Taliban government has now imposed a new decree on the windows in the building that may potentially give a view to the spaces generally used by women.
They have now banned the construction of windows that may allow the visibility of private spaces used by women or could lead to the exposure of women in neighboring homes. According to a statement from the Taliban’s spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, the ban was put in place to prevent potential “improper exposure” that could occur when women are seen performing daily tasks such as gathering water or working in the kitchen.
The Taliban spokesperson released the statement on X. It further stressed that new construction would not have windows in the kitchen, courtyard, wells, or other spaces used by women.
“If such windows already exist, homeowners are advised to install walls or barriers to prevent any exposure of women’s privacy and to avoid causing inconvenience to neighbors,” the Taliban spokesperson said. Municipal authorities and relevant government departments have been tasked to ensure compliance with the guidelines.
Read more: Taliban bans women from praying, reciting Quran loud in each other’s presence
This is not the first time, the Taliban government has issued strict guidelines against women. Earlier this month, the Taliban regime banned women from attending medical schools, obliterating one of the last avenues for Afghan women to access higher education. The decision, reportedly issued by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, was communicated in a clandestine meeting in Kabul with heads of medical institutions.
In November this year, the Taliban banned women from hearing each other’s voices in public. Afghan women cannot pray or recite loudly in front of other women, says the new decree.
The latest decree comes two months after the Taliban banned women’s voices in public spaces. Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, the Minister for the propagation of virtues and prevention of vices, has issued the order.