Taliban Bans Women and Girls From Speaking to Media

The Afghanistan Journalists Center (AFJC) says that authorities in Khost Province, southeast Afghanistan, have banned women and girls from contacting local media. Local radio and television channels have also been warned against accepting phone calls from female listeners. Afghan media could face legal repercussions or be shut down if they do not comply.

A letter released by AFJC on February 25 accuses certain media outlets of “spreading corruption” through “illegitimate contact” with women and girls. The letter claimed that such interactions resulted in “inappropriate behavior” deemed unacceptable by the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Shari’a, or Islamic, law.

Broadcasting women’s voices, including in advertisements, was banned in Helmand Province last August. The Taliban’s latest directive may silence women and their allies further by deterring them from speaking out.

These policies are part of the broader Taliban regime’s efforts to suppress women’s rights and freedoms since the group’s return to power in 2021. This has included restrictions on women’s public presence, employment opportunities, and girls’ access to education, with UNICEF estimating the impact on over one million girls.

Despite initial promises of press freedom, the Taliban has shut down independent media outlets, including radio stations, TV channels, and newspapers across the country.

Additionally, the regime has limited access to international broadcasting and denied visas to many foreign journalists.