A State Department spokesperson said the United States is “deeply concerned” by restrictions on women’s rights in Afghanistan, after the Taliban today imposed an obligation on all women to wear the full veil in public.
“We are deeply concerned that the rights of women and girls and the progress made in this area over the past 20 years will be suppressed,” the spokeswoman responded, referring to the decision regarding the mandatory use of the burqa.
He added that Washington and its allies are “deeply disturbed by the recent measures taken by the Taliban against women and girls, whose restrictions include education and travel.”
Afghanistan’s supreme leader today has ordered Afghan women to wear the burqa in public, imposing what are seen as the most severe restrictions on women’s freedom since the Taliban’s return to power.
“They should wear a chador [outro nome para a burca] Because it is traditional and respectable,” as stated in a decree signed by Hebatullah Akhundzadeh, which was published today and carried by the French news agency (AFP).
According to the decree, women who are neither young nor old must veil their face when they meet a man who is not a member of their family “to avoid provocations.
The document also adds that if they have nothing to do outside, it is better for them to stay at home.
The burqa was actually imposed during the Taliban’s first time in power, between 1996 and 2001 which was marked by strong suppression of women’s rights according to their interpretation of “Sharia”.
After returning to power in August after occupying the USA and its allies for 20 years, the Taliban promised that they would be more resilient.
However, they reneged on their promises, gradually reversing rights and robbing women of 20 years of freedom.
Women are now largely excluded from government jobs and prohibited from traveling alone.
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