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The UN mission in Afghanistan has raised concerns over the recent arrests and detentions of women in a western province, believed to be linked to alleged violations of dress code enforcement. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (Unama) did not specify the number of women impacted, but local reports last week indicated at least 21 women and girls had been detained in Herat province. The Taliban authorities did not respond to requests for comment.
Unama issued a statement late Sunday on X (formerly Twitter), expressing worry about multiple women being detained in Herat for supposedly not adhering to dress standards, which it called a serious human rights issue. They emphasized that everyone has the right to move freely and that all people, regardless of gender, should be treated equally under the law.
These detentions come shortly after a Taliban directive was issued, requiring women to wear what authorities describe as a “proper hijab” in public. Reports suggest that those who do not comply—such as women revealing their faces or using makeup—risk punitive measures, although these claims could not be independently confirmed. Since Taliban regained control of Kabul in 2021, they have implemented extensive restrictions on women and girls, limiting their access to education, jobs, and sports, prompting widespread international criticism.
A UNICEF report from April warned that restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment could lead to over 25,000 female teachers and health workers leaving Afghanistan by 2030. The Taliban maintain that they respect women’s rights in accordance with their interpretation of Islamic law.
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