Taliban orders to close all general baths for women in northern Balkh province: Report

On Monday, Taliban announced shutdown of all general baths for women in norrn Balkh province, which borders Uzbekistan. As Taliban regime in Afghanistan establishes itself across country, restrictions on women, in particular, have started to increase. According to Khaama Press, latest decision was taken unanimously by religious scholars as well as provincial authorities of Directorate of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice (DPVPV) in province. Women can only take showers in private baths while wearing Islamic hijab, not in public baths, as per new decision. 

According to he of DPVPV in Balkh province, decision was taken after meetings with religious scholars, who are also known as Ulama. "Men are allowed to go to general baths as people do not have access to contemporary baths at home, while women are supposed to go to private baths while wearing hijab," stated DPVPV he as per Khaama News. Meanwhile, boys under age of 18 are prohibited from using public baths, and body massage is prohibited in baths. Local officials in western Herat province h previously temporarily closed women's general baths, reported Afghan media outlet. 

Taliban orders to 'behe female Mannequins' citing Sharia law

Recently, Taliban passed anor contentious ruling wherein it ordered clothing shops in Afghanistan's Herat province to "behe female mannequins," reported Raha Press. order was passed by DPVPV to behe female mannequins, as it violates contentious "Sharia law." According to Taliban, even glancing at hes of mannequins is a breach of sharia law. Sharia is a religious law that is derived from Islamic religious principles and is part of Islamic trition. It is also based on interpretations of Islam's sacred books, especially Quran and Hith. However, some Islamic countries, including Afghanistan, have changed Quran's verses to suit ir political ideals.

Afghan women held protests demanding ir rights

It should be mentioned here that Taliban interim government has also declared that women will only be allowed to work and study in accordance with Islamic laws. Earlier in month of September, Afghan women activists protested in different parts of country. y demanded equal rights for mselves and also decision-making roles in Taliban-led ministration. y also demanded that ir rights to liberty and equality must be protected, reported ANI. 

(With inputs from ANI)

Image: AP/ANI