|
Mohammad Akif Muhajir, the spokesman for the Ministry for the
Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, made the comments
in an interview with local media and, when asked about the
restrictions, referred Reuters to audio of the interview.
"For the last 14 or 15 months we were trying to provide an
environment according to Sharia (Islamic law) and our culture
for women to go to the parks," he said.
"Unfortunately, the owners of parks didn't co-operate with us
very well, and also the women didn't observe hijab as was
suggested. For now, the decision has been taken that they are
banned," he said, referring to the group's interpretation of the
Islamic dress code for women.
Almost all women in Afghanistan wear a head scarf, or hijab, in
public. However, the Taliban have said women should wear long
flowing clothes that cover their bodies and also cover their
faces, such as the all-enveloping burqa. Some women in Kabul and
other urban centres do not cover their faces in public and
others wear a surgical face mask.
Western governments have said the Taliban needs to reverse its
course on women's rights, including a U-turn on signals they
would open girls' high schools, for any path towards formal
recognition of the Taliban government.
It was not clear how long the park restrictions would last and
whether they would be extended across Afghanistan.
Park operators in western Herat and northern Balkh and
Badkahshan provinces said they had not been asked to stop women
entering yet.
Some women in those provinces told Reuters they were watching
the restrictions in Kabul closely and were worried they might be
applied in other provinces.
"Here they haven't restricted women and girls yet but you will
never know when they change their minds," said a woman in
Badakhshan who asked to remain anonymous.
The Taliban say they respect women's rights in accordance with
their interpretation of Islamic law.
(Reporting by Mohammad Yunus Yawar and Sayed Hassib; Writing by
Charlotte Greenfield; editing by John Stonestreet)
[© 2022 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2022 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
