The Taliban forbid women to travel long distances unaccompanied

The Taliban announced today that women who want to travel long distances must be accompanied by a male relative, in yet another indication that the regime is toughening its stance despite initial promises.

The directive, published by the ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Corruption and which has been circulated on social media, also calls on drivers to accept women in their vehicle only if they wear the “Islamic headscarf”.

“Women traveling more than 45 miles (72 km) can not make the trip without being accompanied by a immediate family member”, said in the French Agency the representative of the ministry Sadiq Akif Muhajir, clarifying that this person must be a man.

This instruction comes a few weeks after The ministry asked the country’s television stations not to broadcast series starring women and to ensure that women journalists wear the “Islamic headscarf” when they appear on screen.

The Taliban do not specify what they mean by “Islamic headscarf” if it is a simple headscarf that most women already wear. Afghanistan or for something bigger that covers more.

Since coming to power in August, the Taliban have imposed various restrictions on women and girls, despite initial commitments that their status would be less stringent than it was during their first administration (1996-2001).

In many provinces, local authorities have agreed to reopen girls’ schools, although in various parts of the country many girls are still unable to return to school.

Activists hope the Taliban’s efforts to gain recognition from the international community and regain the help the country needs – one of the poorest in the world – will force them to make concessions.

During their first term in office, the Taliban had forced women to wear burqas. They could not leave their home without being accompanied by a man and had no right to work or be educated.