The Taliban recently issued a new law banning women from singing in public or letting their voices be heard outside the house. In response, Afghan women have been singing songs about resistance and posting videos of it on social media.

“Women of Afghanistan are an incredibly powerful example of resistance to oppression.” (Fereshta Abbasi, Afghanistan researcher)

Three years after their return to power, the Taliban have promulgated new laws against women. A new stage in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s determination to muzzle women’s speech has been reached. Women have already been silenced since the return of the fundamentalists on August 15, 2021. The Taliban regime excludes women from society a little more every week. After access to parks and sports halls, schools, universities and jobs in contact with the public are now closed to them.

Because of this new law, they are no longer allowed to sing, write poetry, or read aloud. They are also forbidden to wear make-up, perfume, or even look at men with whom they are not related by blood. This law also prevents women’s freedom of movement: They are also prohibited from traveling more than 70 km from their place of residence without the accompaniment of a family member.

These constraints are in direct opposition to the fundamental values enshrined in the UN Charter and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which state:

“Noting that the Charter of the United Nations reaffirms faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women.”

ISHR strongly condemns and notes with horror the libertarian stranglehold organized against Taliban women.

This law marks an important step in the institutionalization of the Taliban interpretation of Islamic law (Sharia) by the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. But Taliban women are fighting against this oppressive regime, leading some to affirm that « I will never leave the country, I will never leave it to the Taliban » says Rukaiya Saai boldly.

In response to this systemic oppression, Afghan women filmed themselves singing before posting on social media. Let us salute and support this act of bravery in the face of policies resistant to the emancipation of women. Let us recall the dramatic situation in which they find themselves, and which is getting worse. Let’s prevent the Taliban government from imposing its dogmas without being hampered by international diplomacy.

For women’s rights and gender equality, always.