KABUL: The Taliban’s Vice and Virtue Ministry has announced plans to prevent women from visiting Band-e-Amir, one of Afghanistan’s most popular national parks, citing concerns over improper hijab, or Islamic headscarf, attire.
The decision comes after Minister Mohammad Khalid Hanafi’s recent visit to the central Bamiyan province, where he raised concerns about women not adhering to proper hijab standards during visits to the tourist destination.
Ministry spokesman Molvi Mohammad Sadiq Akif shared a report detailing Hanafi’s instructions, which involve the use of security forces, clerics, and elders to enforce the prohibition. A recording of Minister Hanafi’s speech in Bamiyan, supporting Akif’s report, was circulated on social media.
The move has drawn criticism from international rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch. Heather Barr, the associate women’s rights director at Human Rights Watch, commented that the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s education, employment, movement, and now leisure activities are further limiting their freedom and opportunities.
Taliban Imposes Restrictions on Women
In November of the previous year, the Taliban-led government imposed a ban on women using public spaces, including parks, asserting that improper hijab and lack of adherence to gender segregation rules were the reasons behind the restriction. Since taking control of Afghanistan in August 2021, after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces, the Taliban has implemented various restrictive measures targeting Afghan women and girls, leading to global condemnation.
Band-e-Amir, located in Bamiyan, is a significant tourist attraction and was designated as Afghanistan’s first national park in 2009. It serves as a vital source of income for local businesses, including sightseeing, restaurants, hotels, and handicraft shops, and draws thousands of visitors annually.
