Ekeomah Atuonwu
Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have directed that female presenters on local television stations cover their faces while on air.
The move comes just days after authorities ordered women to cover their faces in public, a policy reminiscent of the Taliban’s previous hardline rule and an escalation of restrictions that has sparked outrage both at home and abroad.
“We met with media officials… they happily accepted our advice,” Akif Mahajar, spokesman for the Taliban’s Ministry of Vice and Virtue, told reporters, adding that the move would be well received by Afghans.
While referring to the move as “advice,” Mahajar added, “The last date for face covering for TV presenters is May 21,” referring to the date compliance with the new requirement should begin.
He did not respond to a question about the ramifications of not following the advice.
Most Afghan women wear headscarves for religious reasons, but many in urban areas, such as Kabul, do not. During the Taliban’s last reign, from 1996 to 2001, women were required to wear the all-encompassing blue burqa.
Female presenters, according to Mahajar, could wear a medical face mask, as was widely used during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Women in Afghanistan pursued work and education after the Taliban government was deposed in 2001 by a US-led invasion, both of which were prohibited under Taliban rule at the time.
The Taliban says it has changed since its last rule, but recently AEM reported that it had added regulations such as limiting women’s movement without a male chaperone, and older girls above 13 years old have also yet to be allowed back to schools and colleges.
