Taliban Enforcers: Afghanistan’s Unpaid Home Rule
As the TalibanS takeover in Afghanistan, women face severe restrictions dictated by strict “vice and virtue” laws, but the story doesn’t end there. Afghan men are increasingly compelled to enforce these rules on their female relatives, fearing punishment for violations. This disturbing dynamic leads to women experiencing heightened psychological stress, limited freedoms, and reports of violence within their families. News Directory 3 examines how fear and societal pressure are transforming family structures, as men become unpaid enforcers of an oppressive regime while women have their rights stripped away. The impact is far reaching.Discover what’s next for Afghan women.
Taliban morality Laws: Afghan men Enforce Restrictions on Women
Since the Taliban seized control in Afghanistan in August 2021, their ambition to remove women from public life has become increasingly clear. The unveiling of extensive “vice and virtue” laws last summer codified this ambition, dictating how women must behave and appear in public.
The new rules mandate complete covering for women outside the home, prohibit loud voices, require a male escort for public appearances, and forbid direct eye contact with unrelated men. the question quickly became: How would the Taliban, with limited “morality police,” enforce these sweeping restrictions?
in the months following the proclamation, fathers, brothers, and husbands have effectively become unpaid enforcers, imposing the Taliban’s oppressive regime on Afghan women and girls. This stems not only from fear of Taliban enforcers but also from the new rules stipulating that male relatives, not the women themselves, face punishment, fines, or imprisonment for violations of the morality code.
Jawid Hakimi, from Bamyan province, said men are now unpaid soldiers of the Taliban.He added that for the sake of honor, reputation and social standing, they are forced to enforce the taliban’s orders on the women in their families. He said society is adjusting to the Taliban’s rules, and their restrictions on women are gradually reshaping society according to their vision, and they feel compelled to align their families with their expectations, creating a suffocating atmosphere.
Parwiz, from northeastern Afghanistan, recounted his sister’s detention by the Taliban’s ”morality police” for not wearing a hijab. He said he was terrified for her safety and resolute to prevent a recurrence.
He said he was forced to go to the police station, where he was insulted and told he had to do whatever the Taliban said. When he came home, he took out all his anger and frustration on his mother and sister.
other men reported that fear of social shame and punishment for “immoral” behavior was leading to repression and violence against their female relatives.This enforcement of Taliban morality laws is reshaping family dynamics across Afghanistan.
Freshta, from Badakhshan province, said her husband beats her for leaving the house, even to buy food. She said she whent to the corner of the street to buy vegetables and she had put on a long, black hijab but no burqa. When she returned,he hit her across the face and beat her.
She said he told her, ‘Do you want us to break the rules? What if one of my work colleagues saw you?’ For months now I have barely left the house. He says if I do leave I need to wear the burqa.”
Rabia,22,said he cannot risk the family facing the “dishonour” of his elder sister Maryam going out and people thinking that she is dressed immodestly.
He said their pride doesn’t allow it. They have shame, they have honor. They can’t bear the thought that, God forbid, something might be said about her in the city or the market.
Young women described the pain of their families becoming enforcers of a morality code imposed by an extremist ideology that has already deprived them of education, work, and autonomy. the Taliban’s morality laws are reshaping Afghan society.
Masha, 25, said her father’s behavior changed after the Taliban came. Before that, he didn’t care much about their clothing. Before, he never told them not to wear something or to avoid certain places, but as soon as the Taliban came he changed. He said: ‘If you consider me your father and care about the dignity of your family you will wear the hijab. Don’t wear makeup, not even a strand of your hair should be visible, don’t wear high-heeled shoes, and you don’t need to go out so often. Tell me or your brothers so we can get it for you from the market,’ she said.
She added that now every time she has her period she has to go without sanitary products or medicine.She just stays inside.
Richard Bennett, the UN’s special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, said that while he has documented “acts of resistance” from Afghan men against the Taliban’s institutionalised repression of women, “within families, male family members are increasingly enforcing restrictions on their female relatives, and more women report needing permission to leave their homes. There are also increasing reports of female family members ensuring compliance.”
He added that the presence of de facto officials and suspected informers in communities, the threat of constant surveillance and the unpredictability of enforcement are further contributing to feelings of insecurity, heightening psychological stress and anxiety, especially among young women.
what’s next
The long-term consequences of these Taliban morality laws and the resulting shift in family dynamics remain to be seen. The international community continues to monitor the situation, with concerns mounting over the increasing restrictions and the psychological impact on Afghan women.