The Taliban’s restrictive policies against Afghan women continue to spark global outrage. The latest decree prohibits the construction of windows in homes that provide visibility into spaces commonly used by women, such as kitchens, courtyards, and wells. These are areas where women traditionally perform domestic duties. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid justified this ban, claiming that such visibility could lead to “obscene acts.” This is just the latest in a long line of policies aimed at limiting women's rights since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan again in 2021.

Under the Taliban's rule, Afghan women have been increasingly excluded from public life. Women have been banned from attending schools and universities, and most are prohibited from working outside the home. They are also barred from using public spaces like parks and bathhouses. This new window ban adds another layer of control, aiming to restrict women’s presence in these private spaces even further.

In addition to banning windows that overlook areas where women typically work, the Taliban has mandated that local authorities enforce compliance. Property owners are now required to block any views into these areas by constructing walls or barriers, which the Taliban deems necessary to prevent “nuisances.”

These architectural restrictions are part of broader policies enforced by the Taliban's Ministry for the "Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice." Among these policies are laws that impose strict dress codes on women, requiring them to wear face coverings and loose clothing. Additionally, women are banned from interacting with men who are not family members. Religious freedoms are also restricted, with women prohibited from reading or reciting the Quran aloud in front of other women.

Women’s access to education and employment has also been severely limited. Recently, reports emerged that women training to become midwives or nurses were ordered to stop their courses, despite Afghanistan’s serious maternal health crisis, one of the highest in the world. Over 1.4 million girls have been prohibited the secondary-education, further cutting down their opportunities.

International response to these oppressive measures has been swift. Countries like Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands have taken legal action against the Taliban for violating international human rights agreements, particularly regarding gender discrimination. Despite the outcry, the Taliban continue to defend their actions, insisting that their policies are in line with their interpretation of Islamic law.

The situation for women and girls in Afghanistan remains bleak. With a generation’s potential at risk, the international community continues to call for change. However, the Taliban have remained defiant, dismissing all criticism as foreign interference.