Taliban bans windows overlooking areas used by women in Afghanistan

New buildings must avoid windows that allow visibility into the places usually used by women, says Taliban spokesman

The Taliban's supreme leader has issued a new decree banning the construction of windows in residential buildings that could provide views into areas used by Afghan women. Existing windows with such views are to be blocked, according to the order.

In a statement released late Saturday, Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid announced that new buildings must avoid windows that allow visibility into "the courtyard, kitchen, neighbor's well, and other places usually used by women."

The decree, posted on social media platform X, claims that "seeing women working in kitchens, courtyards, or collecting water from wells can lead to obscene acts."

Municipal authorities and relevant departments are tasked with ensuring that construction sites comply with the new rules. If such windows already exist, homeowners are encouraged to build walls or install barriers to obstruct the view and "prevent nuisances to neighbors," the statement added.

Since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, women in Afghanistan have faced severe restrictions, effectively erasing them from public spaces.

The United Nations has condemned the administration's policies as "gender apartheid."

Under the Taliban regime, girls and women are barred from education beyond primary school, face employment restrictions, and are prohibited from accessing parks and public spaces.

Recent laws have also banned women from singing or reciting poetry in public and have urged them to "veil" their voices and bodies outside their homes.

Some local media outlets have also ceased broadcasting female voices, reflecting the Taliban's ultra-strict interpretation of Islamic law.

Despite widespread criticism, Taliban officials claim that their governance aligns with Islamic principles, which they assert "guarantee" the rights of men and women in Afghanistan.