RASC News Agency: Local sources in Herat reveal that the Taliban have issued stern warnings to women’s cafes and gathering spaces, threatening arrest or severe punishment if they fail to halt operations. Reports indicate this is the third instance of the Taliban’s Department of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice instructing women to remain indoors and cease all professional or social activities.
Several proprietors of women-only cafes in Herat have confirmed receiving direct threats from Taliban officials, who announced their intention to shut down these establishments across the city imminently. On Thursday November 21, multiple cafe owners publicly acknowledged the threats, stating that Taliban authorities have warned them of immediate arrests should they continue to operate.
The Taliban justify these actions by alleging that the cafes promote un-Islamic behavior, including playing music, permitting unveiled women to frequent the premises, and allowing the use of tobacco. Cafe owners have categorically rejected these accusations, emphasizing their compliance with all Taliban-imposed regulations. They maintain that women visiting these establishments adhere to strict dress codes, and the environment within the cafes is fully aligned with Islamic principles. The proprietors argue that the Taliban are actively seeking pretexts to shut down their businesses, further stifling the limited freedoms available to women under their rule.
These closures are particularly disheartening for women and girls who, already burdened by the Taliban’s oppressive restrictions, turn to these spaces as sanctuaries. In these all-female environments, women can briefly escape societal pressures, enjoy coffee, or immerse themselves in reading. Women workers in Herat express deep concern that if their businesses are forcibly closed, they will lose not only their livelihoods but also their last remnants of hope and financial independence.
This is not an isolated incident. The Taliban have previously issued similar warnings and closures, including shutting down women’s cafes in Kabul. This relentless crackdown underscores the group’s ongoing effort to erase spaces that foster autonomy and empowerment for Afghanistani women.
