29/09/2016
In a world where freedom of movement is often taken for granted, the simple act of hailing a taxi has become a perilous endeavour for women in Afghanistan. Under the strict edicts of the Taliban, the once-uncomplicated journey from one point to another is now fraught with fear, risk, and severe repercussions, not just for the female passengers but for the drivers who dare to transport them. This escalating crackdown on women's attire and autonomy in public spaces is systematically pushing Afghan women out of sight, out of mind, and out of public life.
The chilling accounts from places like Herat and Kabul paint a stark picture. Taxi drivers, including those operating motorised rickshaws, are finding themselves caught between a rock and a hard place. Fereydun, a rickshaw driver from Herat, vividly describes the brutal reality: transporting a woman not fully covered by a burqa can lead to severe beatings and the confiscation of his vehicle. He has personally witnessed women being dragged from his rickshaw, humiliated, cursed, and screamed at by Taliban enforcers. This isn't just about adherence to a dress code; it's a deliberate, systematic effort to erase women from the public sphere.
The Iron Grip of the Ministry of Vice and Virtue
Almost two years since the militant Islamist Taliban regained control of Afghanistan following the calamitous withdrawal of NATO forces, their initial pledges to respect women's rights have proven to be hollow promises. Instead, there has been a relentless and systematic erosion of these rights. The re-established Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice has become the primary instrument of this oppression, deploying 'morality police' throughout major cities to enforce their draconian decrees.
One of the most impactful decrees directly targets public transport. Drivers of taxis, rickshaws, and other passenger vehicles are explicitly forbidden from transporting women who are not wearing a 'full hijab' within city limits. This rule is often interpreted as requiring a full-body covering, such as a burqa, rather than just a headscarf. Adding another layer of restriction, the Ministry also mandates that when women travel, they must be accompanied by a man. Akif Mohajer, a representative of the Ministry, stated, "When they travel inside the city, no man is allowed to sit next to them and they must wear a full hijab. It doesn't matter if they wear a chador or not — their hijab must be fully Islamic."
The ambiguity surrounding what constitutes a "full Islamic hijab" only exacerbates the problem. Dina, a woman from Herat, recounts being repeatedly removed from rickshaws and insulted for simply wearing a long coat and headscarf – attire that would be considered modest elsewhere. Mirza, a cab driver from Kabul, confirms that Taliban officials have explicitly warned him against carrying women without veils or burqas, under threat of punishment and confiscation of his livelihood. This lack of clear definition gives the morality police arbitrary power, leading to widespread fear and self-censorship among both drivers and passengers.
The Perilous Choice: Drivers' Dilemma
For taxi and rickshaw drivers, the choice is stark: risk their safety and livelihood, or comply with oppressive regulations that strip women of their fundamental rights. Many, like Fereydun, have opted for self-preservation, refusing to transport women altogether. This decision, while protecting them from Taliban brutality, significantly impacts their income and further isolates women who rely on public transport for essential errands, work (where permitted), or accessing healthcare.
The threat of vehicle confiscation is particularly devastating in a country already struggling economically. A taxi or rickshaw is often a family's sole source of income. Losing it to the Taliban's arbitrary enforcement means instant poverty and hardship. This economic leverage is a powerful tool in the Taliban's strategy to control and suppress the population, particularly women.
| Aspect of Travel | Pre-Taliban (or International Norm) | Under Taliban Rule (Current) |
|---|---|---|
| Female Dress Code in Public | Freedom of choice, varied attire acceptable | Mandatory "full Islamic hijab," often interpreted as burqa or full body covering; headscarf often deemed insufficient |
| Female Travel Alone in Taxis | Permitted and commonplace | Heavily restricted; often requires a male escort (mahram) for longer distances, and strict dress code enforcement for all journeys |
| Taxi Driver's Liability for Passengers | None for passenger attire | Severe punishment (beatings, vehicle confiscation) if female passengers do not comply with dress code |
| Women's Presence in Public Spaces | Active participation in education, work, social life | Systematically removed from most professions, higher education, and public life; presence severely curtailed |
| Access to Services (e.g., Healthcare) | Generally accessible via independent travel | Restricted due to travel limitations and requirement for male escort, impacting access to vital services |
Squeezing Women from Public Space: A Strategic Move
Maryam Marof Arwin, founder of a welfare organisation for women and children in Afghanistan, correctly identifies the primary goal behind these measures: to push women out of the public eye entirely. This is not merely about modesty; it is a calculated strategy to systematically eliminate women from society, mirroring the Taliban's first period in power between 1996 and 2001.
During that time, women were forced to wear the burqa, forbidden from leaving their homes without a male escort, and barred from seeing male doctors, leading to widespread untreated illnesses. Today, the Taliban is implementing similar policies with renewed vigour and systematic precision. Women have been ousted from most professions, barred from attending universities and higher education institutions, and even beauty salons have been banned. The travel restrictions, particularly concerning taxis, are another critical piece of this oppressive puzzle. By controlling how women move, the Taliban controls whether they can work, study, access healthcare, or even visit family.
This systematic removal has profound consequences. It cripples women's economic independence, limits their access to education and essential services, and isolates them from social networks. The psychological toll of living under such constant surveillance and fear cannot be overstated. The simple act of travelling becomes an act of defiance, or an impossibility, for millions.
Resistance and the Global Call for Solidarity
Despite the immense pressure and severe consequences, Afghan women continue to demonstrate remarkable resilience and resistance. Many refuse to wear burqas, choosing instead to walk the streets with their faces uncovered, a courageous act of defiance against the Taliban's decree. These women are striving for the justice and equality that should be their inherent right, and their struggles and voices desperately need to be acknowledged and amplified.
The burqa, in this context, symbolises different things. For the Taliban, it is an instrument of control and an emblem of their interpretation of religious law. For many Afghan women, however, it has become a symbol of oppression, a visible manifestation of their lost freedoms. Yet, amidst this subjugation, there is a noticed and continuing resistance growing among Afghan women who are striving for rights and opportunities that they should be able to reach.
Women across Afghanistan, like Dina from Herat, repeatedly stress that the world should not stand idly by. They desperately need the support and solidarity of the international community. The systematic dismantling of women's rights in Afghanistan is not just an internal matter; it is a grave human rights crisis that demands global attention and concerted action. Without external pressure and support, the space for Afghan women to live freely and participate in society will continue to shrink, threatening to erase their presence entirely from public life.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can Afghan women travel alone in taxis?
- Under Taliban rule, it is highly restricted. While not explicitly banned for very short distances, strict dress codes (often full burqa) are enforced, and for longer distances, a male escort (mahram) is typically required. Many drivers refuse to carry women travelling alone due to fear of punishment.
- What happens to taxi drivers who transport women without burqas?
- Drivers face severe punishment, including beatings by the Taliban's morality police and the confiscation of their vehicles, which are often their sole source of income.
- What is considered a "full Islamic hijab" by the Taliban?
- The definition is often ambiguous and inconsistently applied, but it is generally interpreted as requiring a full-body covering, such as a burqa, rather than just a headscarf or modest clothing. This ambiguity allows for arbitrary enforcement.
- Are women in Afghanistan resisting these rules?
- Yes, despite the immense risks, many Afghan women continue to show remarkable resistance. They engage in protests, refuse to fully comply with dress codes, and advocate for their rights, calling for international support.
- What does the burqa symbolise in Afghanistan?
- While it holds varying cultural and religious meanings, under Taliban rule, the burqa has largely become a potent symbol of oppression, control, and the systematic erosion of women's freedoms. For many women, it represents their ongoing struggle for justice and equality.
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