Taliban Bans Afghan Women From Hearing Each Others Voices While Praying

In Afghanistan, the Taliban passed new regulations that severely limit women, prohibiting them from speaking to each other and hearing each others' voices. These regulations, introduced by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, represent some of the harshest measures since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. Mohammad Khalid Hanafi, Taliban minister for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, stated that women should avoid reciting the Quran audibly when around other women.

"When women are not allowed to call Takbir or Azan (the Islamic call to prayer), they certainly cannot sing songs or enjoy music,” Hanafi said, according to Amu TV. He asserted that a woman's voice is considered “awrah”— something that must be concealed-- and should not be heard in public.

Taliban's gendered restrictions

In September, the Taliban's virtue ministry released a comprehensive 114-page document outlining new regulations that prohibited women from speaking in public or showing their faces. This ministry, established to enforce a stringent interpretation of Islamic law, now plays a central role in policing public conduct.

One of the key provisions, outlined in Article 13, mandates that women must cover their entire bodies, including their faces, while in public. This rule is intended to prevent what the laws describe as "temptation." Additionally, women are prohibited from speaking or singing in public, as their voices are deemed private and should not be heard by others.

Other notable restrictions include prohibitions on women making eye contact with men who are not their relatives. The laws also ban the publication of images of living beings, which could adversely affect Afghanistan’s already struggling media landscape.

 Music is forbidden, and women are barred from travelling alone. Furthermore, the regulations dictate that men and women cannot mix in public unless they are related. Passengers and drivers are also required to pause for prayer at designated times.

UN Concerns and International Reactions

The United Nations has expressed grave concerns about these new regulations, highlighting their potential to exacerbate the challenges faced by women and girls in Afghanistan. According to a recent UN report, the Taliban’s Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice is fostering an atmosphere of fear and intimidation. The UN cautioned that the ministry’s expanding authority could have dire consequences for Afghan society.

Statement from Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the@UN Assistance Mission in #Afghanistan on ratification by de facto authorities of morality law. Full statement (English, Dari, Pashto): https://t.co/roRs40CtHS pic.twitter.com/sum6OoLdvP

— UNAMA News (@UNAMAnews) August 25, 2024

The head of the UN mission in Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva described the Taliban’s new laws as a “distressing vision” for the country’s future. She criticised the restrictions as extending the already severe limitations on women’s rights, noting that even the sound of a female voice outside the home is now considered a moral infraction.

Otunbayeva emphasised that Afghan people, amidst ongoing humanitarian crises and decades of conflict, deserve better than to be penalised for minor infractions such as being late for prayers or possessing a photo of a loved one.

Taliban's Stance and International Relations

In response to the criticism, Taliban Vice and Virtue Minister Mohammad Khaled Hanafi stated that no one should infringe upon women's rights under inappropriate customs. He assured that complaints would be addressed in accordance with Islamic law. 

Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada has previously asserted that Afghan women are provided with a “comfortable and prosperous” life despite the extensive restrictions on their public presence, education, and employment opportunities. The international community remains largely critical of the Taliban’s governance, particularly regarding its treatment of women and girls. 

The Taliban is not officially recognised by any country, although some regional ties persist. For example, the United Arab Emirates recently accepted the credentials of the Taliban’s ambassador, which UAE officials stated was part of their broader efforts to support Afghanistan through humanitarian and developmental projects.

Looking Ahead

Roza Otunbayeva is scheduled to present a report to the UN Security Council on September 18, which will mark three years since the Taliban restricted girls’ education beyond the sixth grade. This upcoming report is anticipated to shed further light on the evolving situation in Afghanistan and the international community’s response to these severe new laws.