The Taliban’s ‘Vice and Virtue’ Order

The Critical Concerns and Recommendations for the International Community

The introduction of the new Taliban ‘vice and virtue’ law has a significant impact on the rights and freedoms of Afghan women. This law has effectively stripped Afghan women of their basic human rights and dignity. It has also rolled back much of the progress made in women’s rights over the past two decades, isolating women from public life and worsening gender inequalities in Afghan society. This order, which enforces strict social codes, particularly targeting women and their role in society, threatens not only the rights and freedoms of Afghan citizens but also the stability and security of the broader region and international community. 

“The Taliban’s ‘vice and virtue’ order is a set of strict regulations imposed by the Taliban government, which governs public behaviour, dress, and social interactions, particularly targeting women. These regulations are enforced by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, a body tasked with ensuring that Afghan society adheres to the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law.”

The international community has widely condemned these measures, viewing them as a gross violation of human rights. There are ongoing calls for increased pressure on the Taliban to reverse these policies and restore basic freedoms to Afghan women and girls. 

In response, the international community must take urgent and strategic action to support Afghan women and ensure their rights are protected. Here are key recommendations: 

• Utilize international platforms such as the United Nations, the European Union, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to apply coordinated diplomatic pressure on the Taliban to reverse their repressive policies and to amplify the voices of Afghan women. This will ensure that their perspectives and demands are heard in global discussions about Afghanistan’s future; 

How we’re taking action: Womankind’s Advisor on Afghanistan Maryam Rahmani is engaged in regular international advocacy to give voice to the Afghan women’s movement. Maryam attended a side event at the 56th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva this year. Womankind also funded ‘Community Conversations’ a project with Women’s Resource Network (WRN) that ensured Afghan women’s voices would be included in international advocacy at spaces such as International Criminal Court for Gender Persecution.  

• Allocate and channel humanitarian aid directly to women and girls through trusted local and international NGOs that focus on gender-sensitive programming; 

How we’re taking action: Womankind is supporting partners in Afghanistan with core and flexible funds to ensure their very survival as they navigate such a challenging time. We have successful funded projects in Afghanistan such as the Vocational Training and Literacy for Women in Kabul Province.   

• Provide direct financial and technical support to Afghan women’s rights organizations that continue to operate under extremely challenging conditions; 

How we’re taking action: Womankind is remaining in constant touch with partners in Afghanistan and supporting and advising them in whichever way possible.  

• Engage respected Islamic scholars and leaders to publicly challenge the Taliban’s interpretation of Islamic law, promoting alternative, more inclusive interpretations that support women’s rights; 

Read more: ‘Islam Does Not Ban Girls’ Education. So Why Does The Taliban?’ (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)

For Dari speakers [one of the official languages of Afghanistan], Islamic scholars are responding to almost every decree of Taliban on the Orwat_al_Wusqaa Facebook page.

• Support initiatives that highlight the compatibility of Islam with gender equality, countering the Taliban’s narrative and empowering Afghan women through their faith; 

Organisations to follow: Women Living Under Muslim Laws, Musawah 

• Launch global campaigns to raise awareness of the plight of Afghan women, mobilizing public opinion and increasing pressure on governments to take action; 

How we’re taking action: Womankind will be launching a petition campaign later in the year where you can add your name and share widely in order to draw attention to the injustice faced by women and girls in Afghanistan right now.

• Provide support to independent Afghan media outlets that continue to report on women’s issues, ensuring that the world remains informed about the situation on the ground. 

Independent Afghan media outlets to follow: Rukhshana Media, TKG.af 

We stand in solidarity with Afghan women and girls who are bravely resisting these unjust measures. The international community must take immediate and decisive action to support Afghan women, ensure their safety, and advocate for the restoration of their rights. The voices and contributions of Afghan women are essential to the future of their country, and their rights must be protected at all costs. 

Maryam Rahmani is the Afghanistan Advisor at Womankind Worldwide. As an Afghan women’s rights activist, she’s been keen on championing women’s rights in Afghanistan post the Taliban takeover. Working alongside other activists, she’s leading the implementation of Womankind Worldwide’s Afghanistan Strategy, that is focused on advocacy, providing flexible funding and sustaining the presence of women’s rights organisations in the country. Read more about the strategy here