TV presenters on Afghanistan’s largest television networks appeared on the air today with their faces uncovered, thus defying the Taliban’s order for women to cover their faces when in public.
Since returning to power last year, the Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on society, many of which even violate the rights of women and girls.
Earlier this month, Afghanistan’s top leader, Hibatullah Ahunja, issued a decree calling on women to wear the burqa, the Islamic dress that covers the whole body and face, and to stay at home unless there is a compelling reason to go outside.
The Ministry of Virtue Promotion and Prevention of Corruption called on TV presenters to cover their faces by implementing this measure later today. They used to be required to wear an Islamic headscarf.
However, the television networks TOLOnews, Shamshad TV and 1TV today aired all programs with presenters who had their faces uncovered.
“Our female colleagues are worried that if they cover their faces, the next thing they will be called upon to do is to stop working,” said Abid Ehsas, head of news at Shamshad TV.
“That is why they have not been disciplined so far,” he told AFP, adding that the network had called for further talks with the Taliban on the issue.
Taliban orders like this have forced many women journalists to leave Afghanistan since the hardline Islamists returned to power, says a TV presenter.
“Their latest order has broken the hearts of TV presenters and many now think they have no future in this country. I am thinking of leaving here. Decrees like this will force many professionals to leave,” she said, asking not to be named.
Execute the command
Mohammed Sadek Akif Mohashir, a spokesman for the ministry, said the TV presenters were violating the Taliban’s mandate.
“If they do not comply, we will talk to the directors and guardians of the presenters. Anyone living under a particular system and a government is required to obey the laws and regulations of that system, so they must carry out the mandate,” he told AFP.
The Taliban have demanded that female government officials be fired if they do not comply with the order to appear.
But men who are civil servants also risk being made available if their spouses or daughters do not comply with this order.
According to Mohashir, the media directors and male guardians of the unruly TV presenters will also face penalties in such a case.
During the two decades of US-led military intervention in Afghanistan, women and girls have achieved some victories in this deeply patriarchal society.
Shortly after taking power, the Taliban promised a softer version of the harsh Islamist rule that characterized their first term, from 1996 to 2001.
However, since taking over, women have been banned from traveling unaccompanied and girls from going to High School.
In the 20 years since their ouster from power in 2001, many women in the conservative province have continued to wear the burqa.
But most Afghans, including TV presenters, wore the Islamic headscarf.
TV networks have already stopped airing drama series and soap operas featuring women at the request of the Taliban.
Source: Capital
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