The UN Women has expressed deep concerns over Afghanistan’s newly enacted morality law, describing it as a regressive measure that “imposes extensive restrictions on personal behaviour, effectively erasing women from public life.” The law, which severely limits the freedoms of women and girls, marks another step in the systematic suppression of women’s rights under the current Afghan regime.
The global body called for an immediate reversal of the law, urging Afghan authorities to “ensure the full rights of all women and girls.” The organisation emphasised that the new regulations not only violate basic human rights but also undermine international norms and commitments, including those set out in the United Nations Charter.
The Press Release :
UN Women is deeply concerned about the recent enactment of a morality law by the de facto authorities in Afghanistan, which imposes extensive restrictions on personal behavior, effectively erasing women from public life and granting broad enforcement powers to the morality police.
On 21 August 2024, the de facto authorities announced the ratification of a detailed “Law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice”, which imposes extensive restrictions on the Afghan population.
This law significantly deepens the already severe curtailment of the rights of Afghan women and girls, including requirements for women to cover their entire bodies and faces, and it forbids women’s voices in public. Women are also prohibited from interacting with non-Muslims, using public transport alone, and looking at men to whom they are not related by blood or marriage.
Over the past three years, since their takeover of Afghanistan, the de facto authorities have subjected Afghan women and girls to over 70 edicts, directives, and decrees stripping them of fundamental rights. UN Women data shows that these restrictions are having dire impacts in the lives of Afghan women and girls.
For example, only 1 per cent of women surveyed feel like they have influence over decision making in their communities; 64 per cent indicate that they do not feel safe leaving their homes by themselves compared to 2 per cent of men; and 8 per cent indicate knowing at least one woman or girl who has attempted suicide since August 2021.
These oppressive laws and policies must be immediately reversed, and the de facto authorities must adhere to their obligations under international law to ensure the full rights of all women and girls.
UN Women stands in unwavering solidarity with every Afghan woman and girl subjected to these measures and we will continue to work with our partners to support the full realisation of their rights.