SOON after celebrating three years in power, the Afghan Taliban have further toughened social suppression. Their recent morality law comprises 35 articles that mandate severe lifestyle and behaviour constraints, with penalties for being late for prayers, associating with non-family members of the opposite sex, possessing personal photos, and playing music. Besides, they have barred content which they deem to be in conflict with religion or that shows ‘living beings’. In other words, the law erases freedoms for the general population, rights groups, artists and the media. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice makes women invisible; any semblance of female empowerment is anathema for the Taliban. Labelled ‘gender apartheid’ by the UN, obligatory veils and a conservative dress code, bans on women’s voices being audible outside the home and their presence in schools, universities and workplaces, all follow the larger pattern of erasing females from public spaces and life. The morality squad is set to enforce punishments — ranging from warnings to detention — for disobedience. Domestic and international alarm did not achieve a withdrawal of the dreaded law. Instead, the Taliban announced ‘gentle’ enforcement, which speaks volumes about structured desensitisation.

The consequences of the brutal decree should not be lost on the global community. Beyond violating human and civil freedoms, rejecting dissent, political and socioeconomic inclusivity and public negotiation, it abandons women to the extent that crimes against them will go unreported. Such a rigid and misogynistic environment, protected by the law, is fertile ground for female foeticide, infanticide, domestic violence, harassment and rape. The people of Afghanistan, particularly its women, cannot be left to their fate. In a frightening scenario, where public conditioning and state policies bolster male hierarchies, support subjugation and allow systemic bigotry, negotiating a social agreement for the oppressed is imperative. By keeping silent, we are facilitating a society that only serves males.

Published in Dawn, August 28th, 2024