Taliban leader orders ban on windows overlooking women's spaces

In Afghanistan, the Taliban's supreme leader has implemented a new order to restrict the visibility of women’s spaces in residential settings. Released on December 29, 2024, the decree specifically bans the construction of windows in new buildings that would allow sightlines into areas commonly used by women, such as kitchens and courtyards. Authorities have been tasked with monitoring construction sites to ensure compliance, which indicates a significant step toward reinforcing the Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law regarding women's visibility and presence in society. This directive applies retroactively, as existing windows are encouraged to be obscured to eliminate direct views into private spaces. Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban has progressively limited women’s rights and freedoms. This includes the prohibition of post-primary education for girls, significant restrictions on employment opportunities, and barriers preventing access to parks and public areas. These restrictions have attracted wide condemnation from international organizations, including the United Nations, which likened the conditions to gender apartheid, highlighting severe human rights abuses against women under the Taliban regime. Additionally, the recent decree reinforces the belief held by Taliban leaders that women should remain unseen in public spaces, continuing a trend of reducing women's visibility as a means to prevent what they term 'obscene acts.' Reports suggest that female voices are now being silenced even in media broadcasts, reflecting the regime's harsh policies and societal control over women's roles in Afghanistan. The broader context suggests that the Taliban administration has consistently claimed that its interpretation of Islamic law promises to ensure the rights of both Afghan men and women, yet the reality faced by many Afghan women tells a different story. This new policy will likely exacerbate feelings of isolation and fear among women, as their presence is further hidden from society. Furthermore, the international community is left in a position of questioning how such regulations can lead to any form of equality or respect for women’s rights in Afghanistan moving forward.