Taliban's arrest of Afghan women and girls due to breaches in their dress code raises concern among the United Nations.
The United Nations (UN) mission in Afghanistan has voiced concern over the Taliban government's arrest of women and girls for not complying with the strict dress code, particularly in relation to the hijab. In a recent series of arrests that took place between July 16 and 19, 2025, "numerous" women and girls were detained in Kabul for allegedly not adhering to these dress code instructions. The UN mission, however, has not been provided with details on the exact number of arrests, the ages of those detained, or their detention locations.
The Taliban's enforcement of morality laws includes banning women from showing their faces outside the home, a practice that has contributed to a climate of fear and the further isolation of women and girls. The UN has urged the Taliban to rescind policies restricting women's fundamental freedoms and human rights, including the ban on education beyond sixth grade.
In May 2022, the Taliban government issued a decree requiring women to cover everything except their eyes and recommended wearing a full head-to-toe burqa. Previously, in January 2024, the Taliban's Vice and Virtue Ministry arrested women in Kabul for wearing "bad hijab," a term that was not defined by the ministry's spokesman, Abdul Ghafar Farooq. Claims of ill treatment and extortion have been associated with these arrests, but no official comment has been made by the Taliban on these allegations.
The Taliban's crackdown on women's dress and behaviour in public has been a significant point of contention since they took control of Afghanistan in August 2021 following the withdrawal of US and NATO forces. In July 2023, Russia became the only country to grant formal recognition to the Taliban government, with the administration since seeking international recognition while enforcing its interpretation of Islamic law.
As the situation continues to evolve, the UN remains vigilant and concerned about the impact of the Taliban's policies on the rights and well-being of Afghan women and girls. The organisation continues to urge the Taliban to reconsider their stance on these matters and promote a more inclusive and equitable society for all Afghans.
- The UN's concern extends beyond the dress code issue in Afghanistan, urging the Taliban government to reconsider its restrictive policies on women's education, as education beyond the sixth grade is currently banned.
- Despite the Taliban's attempt to enforce strict dress codes, there are growing concerns about the health and wellness of Afghan women, who are increasingly isolated due to the ban on showing their faces outside home.
- The Taliban's policies and actions, such as the arrest of women for not adhering to the hijab, have sparked international discussion and articles in the general news, raising questions about human rights and politics.
- Microsoft, headquartered in Seattle, could potentially play a role in advocating for women's rights in Afghanistan, leveraging their influence and resources to support the UN's efforts and influence the Taliban government.
- The Taliban's policies have not only impacted the health and education of Afghan women but have also contributed to a climate of fear in society, echoing parallels with the restrictions imposed during war and conflicts.
