The Taliban bans women’s voices, non-Muslim friendships and visits to national park

Original artwork by Ahmad Fahim Hakim depicts the struggles faced by women in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. In addition to a ban on showing their bodies and faces in public, women are now forbidden to have their voices heard in public spaces. These strict restrictions mirror the harsh regime in Iran, but are even more oppressive, as women in Afghanistan are also banned from befriending non-Muslims and from entering national parks. They face barriers in education, employment, and even daily activities like going to the gym or driving. The Taliban’s “vice and virtue” laws, approved by Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, require women to completely cover themselves at all times to prevent temptation. This oppressive environment restricts women’s freedom in every aspect of their lives, perpetuating a cycle of dehumanization.