Afghanistan‘S Taliban the rulers on Sunday began to enforce an order demanding all female TV news anchored in the country to cover its face when broadcasting. The move is part of stiff condemnation from human rights activists.
After the order was announced on Thursday, only a handful of news outlets followed suit. But on Sunday, most of the female anchors were seen with their faces after the Taliban’s Deputy and Ethics Ministry began enforcing the decree.
The Ministry of Culture and Information has previously announced that the policy is “final and non-negotiable.”
“It’s just an outside culture that forces us to wear masks and that can create problems for us when we show our shows,” said Sonia Niazi, a host. TV program with TOLOnews said.
A local media official confirmed his station received the order last week but on Sunday it was forced to fulfill it after being told it was not available for discussion. He said on condition that he and his station remain anonymous for fear of punishment by the Taliban authorities.
During the Taliban’s last rule in Afghanistan from 1996-2001, they imposed excessive restrictions on women, requiring them to wear full-body jackets and barring them from public life. And education.
After they took power back in August, the Taliban seemed to have at first moderated their restrictions somewhat, claiming there was no dress code for women. But in recent weeks, they have taken a hard, sharp stance that has confirmed human rights activists’ worst fears and the Taliban’s further complicated dealings with an international community. economy did not believe.
Earlier this month, the Taliban ordered all women in public to wear head-to-toe clothing where only their eyes could be seen. The decree says women should only leave the house when necessary, and that men’s relatives will face punishment if women break the dress code, starting with summons and climbing sessions. court and prison.
The Taliban leadership has also banned girls from going to school after sixth grade, reversing an earlier promise by Taliban officials that girls of all ages would be allowed to attend.
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