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Despite their initial promises, the Taliban announced today Sunday, that women who want to travel long distances in Afghanistan must be accompanied by a male relative, in another sign that the regime is hardening its stance despite initial promises.
The directive, issued by the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Corruption and circulated on social media, also calls on drivers to accept women in their vehicles only if they wear the 'Islamic headscarf'.
"Women travelling a distance of more than 45 miles (72 km) cannot make the journey unless they are accompanied by a member of their immediate family," ministry spokesman Sadiq Akif Muhajir told Agence France-Presse, clarifying that the person must be a man.
Not to broadcast series featuring women
The directive comes a few weeks after the ministry asked the country's television stations not to broadcast series featuring women and to ensure that female journalists wear the "Islamic headscarf" when they appear on screen.
The Taliban do not specify what they mean by "Islamic headscarf", whether it is a simple headscarf already worn by the majority of women in Afghanistan or something larger that covers more.
What activists are hoping for
Since coming to power in August, the Taliban have imposed various restrictions on women and girls, despite initial pledges that their regime would be less strict than it was during their first rule (1996-2001).
In many provinces, local authorities have agreed to reopen schools for girls, although in several parts of the country many girls are still unable to return to the desks.
Activists hope that the Taliban's efforts to be recognized by the international community and get back the aid needed for the country - one of the world's poorest - will force them to make concessions.
During their first rule, the Taliban had forced women to wear burqas. They could not leave their homes without being accompanied by a man and were not allowed to work or get an education.
Source: APE-MPE
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