Herat Residents Protest Intensifying Taliban Restrictions on Women

DID Press: A group of women and residents in Herat has condemned the Taliban’s intensified enforcement of dress-code regulations and the detention of women accused of “improper hijab,” describing the measures as unjust, retaliatory, and incompatible with the province’s social and cultural traditions.

In a statement released on Saturday, the signatories criticized the compulsory use of the chadari (full-body veil) and the detention of women over alleged violations of Taliban dress requirements. They argued that the choice of clothing should remain a matter of personal consent and individual freedom.

The statement follows reports that Taliban authorities have expanded operations aimed at monitoring women’s dress in Herat. Local sources say dozens of women have been detained in parts of the city for failing to comply with the dress standards enforced by the group.

The signatories described the new restrictions as the result of rigid and subjective interpretations, stressing that such policies are inconsistent with Herat’s historical and cultural identity.

They further warned that tighter restrictions on women could have serious consequences for their participation in education, social life, and economic activities, while also increasing anxiety and insecurity within society.

The statement called for constructive dialogue between local residents and Taliban authorities and urged officials to halt policies that restrict women’s rights and freedoms.

The Taliban have increased enforcement of women’s dress regulations in Herat in recent months, with multiple reports alleging detentions and harsh treatment of women and girls in the province.