A severe new restriction has been imposed by the Taliban in Afghanistan, banning women from speaking in public settings. This is in addition to the other restrictions requiring their bodies and faces to be hidden. This new law, reported on August 26, 2024, extends the already oppressive measures against Afghan women, who have been increasingly marginalised since the Taliban’s return to power, further erasing their presence in society. The ban, enforced through threats and violence, prevents women from participating in any form of public communication, stripping them of their basic human rights. This alarming development underscores the deepening crisis in Afghanistan, where women’s freedoms continue to be systematically dismantled.

The international outcry against the Taliban’s ban on Afghan women speaking or showing their faces in public has been swift. António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, condemned the move, stating, “This is a blatant violation of human rights and a grievous step backward for Afghan society.” Heather Barr of Human Rights Watch labeled the decree as “an egregious escalation in the Taliban’s war against women.” Experts warn that this policy not only deepens the gender divide but also isolates Afghanistan further from the global community, making international support and intervention increasingly challenging.

The Taliban’s recent ban on Afghan women speaking or showing their faces in public is not just a tragic erosion of individual freedoms but a clear indicator of the regime’s broader agenda to suppress half of its population. This decree highlights the Taliban’s continued disregard for basic human rights, particularly the rights of women, who are systematically being silenced and erased from public life. Such actions not only violate international norms but also deepen existing divisions within Afghan society, pushing the country further away from any prospects of peace and stability. To resolve this conflict or regain some human rights for Afghan women, the international community must intervene through peaceful strategies to create a form of pushback for those who no longer have a voice.

Peace cannot be achieved by oppressing a significant portion of the population; rather, it requires the inclusion and active participation of all citizens. Critically, this move by the Taliban is counterproductive to the long-term stability of Afghanistan. Marginalising women not only stifles half of the population’s potential contributions to society but also undermines efforts toward sustainable peace and development. The international community must not limit itself to statements; it should take the initiative to push for change in unison with multiple international bodies in a peaceful manner. Doing so will ensure the promotion of gender equality and human rights. This approach must be holistic for Afghanistan to prioritise the empowerment and protection of women, ensuring their voices are not just heard but central to the nation’s future.

The current repression of Afghan women under the Taliban regime is a grim continuation of a long history of gender-based oppression. When the Taliban first came to power in 1996, they imposed a harsh interpretation of Sharia law, effectively erasing women from public life by banning them from education, work, and even leaving their homes without a male guardian. The U.S.-led invasion in 2001 brought some relief, allowing Afghan women to regain access to education, employment, and a presence in public and political spheres. However, since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, these hard-won rights have been systematically dismantled. The recent decree banning women from speaking or showing their faces in public is a chilling escalation of this rollback. This crackdown is part of the Taliban’s broader agenda to enforce their strict interpretation of Islamic law, despite widespread international condemnation and the devastating impact on Afghan society.

In conclusion, the ban on women’s public presence marks a disturbing regression that threatens Afghanistan’s future peace and stability. This policy not only deepens social divisions but also undermines efforts to build an inclusive and resilient society. The exclusion of women from public life will likely exacerbate economic decline and foster resentment, fuelling unrest and resistance. For sustainable peace, the international community must prioritise gender equality and pressure the Taliban to reverse these oppressive measures. Without the inclusion of women, any prospect of lasting peace in Afghanistan remains bleak.