The Taliban leadership in Afghanistan has issued a new set of laws to Afghan television channels, under which women have now been banned from appearing in television dramas, according to BBC.
Under the recent intervention, eight new Taliban restrictions have been handed to Afghan television networks. In addition to women in the drama industry, “female journalists and presenters have also been ordered to wear headscarves on screen.” Although, the guidelines do not specify the type of covering to use.
The restrictions have also banned films that are not in line with the principles of Sharia – Islamic law, and seem to be different from Afghan cultural values.
Comedy and entertainment shows which could be considered offensive have also been banned.
So far, media persons and reporters have understood the new rules as being vague. But they have come after a series of harsh impositions including restrictions on women working and girls studying and a ban on music, and many fear that they will only worsen.
Earlier on September 5th, the Taliban also imposed a dress code for female students in Afghanistan, specifying that “female students, teachers, and staff must wear an Islamic abaya robe and niqab that covers the hair, body, and most of the face” in an extensive document issued by the Taliban-run Education Ministry. The text also added that “The garments must be black, and women must also wear gloves to ensure their hands are covered.” These new rules were met by resistance from Afghan women around the globe, who posted pictures of themselves dressed up in traditional clothing accompanied by the hashtag #DoNotTouchMyClothes, to protest against the new dress code imposed on them by the Taliban.
