KABUL – In a controversial move, the Taliban has banned the construction of windows in residential buildings that overlook areas used by Afghan women. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated that seeing women working in kitchens, courtyards, or collecting water from wells could lead to “obscene acts.”
Since the Taliban’s return to power three years ago, Afghan women have been excluded from almost every sphere of public life, including schools, universities, most workplaces, parks, and bathhouses. The latest restriction adds to the extensive list of limitations imposed on women and girls.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the Taliban administration announced that new buildings must not have windows that allow visibility into “the courtyard, kitchen, neighbor’s well, and other places usually used by women.” Municipal authorities and other relevant departments are mandated to oversee construction to ensure compliance with this decree. If such windows exist, property owners are advised to construct walls or block the view “to avoid nuisances caused to neighbors.”
Despite these measures, the Taliban administration maintains that Islamic law “guarantees” the rights of both Afghan men and women. However, the ongoing restrictions continue to dominate headlines and raise concerns about the future of women’s rights in Afghanistan.