The supreme leader of the Afghan Taliban has issued a decree prohibiting the construction of windows in residential buildings that overlook areas where Afghan women are commonly found. The decree instructs that existing windows with such views should be blocked.
According to a statement released by Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, the decree mandates that new buildings avoid windows that provide visibility into spaces such as “the courtyard, kitchen, neighbor’s well, and other places typically used by women.”
The decree warns: “Seeing women working in kitchens, in courtyards, or collecting water from wells can lead to obscene acts.”
Municipal authorities and relevant departments have been directed to ensure compliance with the decree at construction sites.
For existing buildings, homeowners are advised to build walls or take other measures to obstruct views to “prevent disturbances to neighbors,” as per the decree.
Since retaking power in August 2021, the Taliban has systematically excluded women from public life, a situation the United Nations has described as “gender apartheid.” Women are banned from post-primary education, most job opportunities, and access to parks and other public spaces.
Recent restrictions include a ban on women singing or reciting poetry in public, with recommendations to “veil” their voices and bodies outside their homes. Additionally, some local radio and TV stations have stopped broadcasting female voices.
The Taliban administration insists that its policies align with Islamic law, claiming it “guarantees” the rights of both men and women. However, these measures have drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations around the world.
