RASC News Agency: Following the ratification of the “Amr bil Maruf wa Nahi Anil Munkar” (Propagation of virtue and prevention of vice) decree by the Taliban’s leadership, the Women’s Movement for Peace and Freedom has called upon the United Nations to intervene and prevent the enforcement of this law. In a statement released on August 23, the movement asserted that this decree is a precursor to the institutionalization of gender apartheid in Afghanistan.
The Women’s Movement for Peace and Freedom also urged Afghanistani citizens to resist the Taliban’s misogynistic policies and to stand united in support of women. The statement declared: “The Women’s Movement for Peace and Freedom reiterates its appeal to the United Nations and the global community to acknowledge the dire plight of Afghanistani women and to immediately cease any further engagement and appeasement of the Taliban terrorist regime.”
The Taliban’s “Amr bil Maruf wa Nahi Anil Munkar” decree consists of four chapters and 38 articles. It defines a woman’s voice, face, and body as ‘awrah’ (something to be concealed) and criminalizes their appearance in public spaces. The deep concern of the Afghanistani populace stems from the fact that since the Taliban’s ascent to power, there has been a disturbing trend among both authoritarian regimes in the region and the world’s most democratic nations to appease and align themselves with the Taliban. The United States, along with some of its allies, has played an especially significant role in emboldening the Taliban by providing them with millions of dollars weekly, thereby intensifying the group’s boldness and intransigence.
