Taliban Introduces New Women's Morality Law

The Taliban's recently codified 'Law on the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice' imposes severe restrictions on women's rights, mandating full body coverings and prohibiting women from voicing their opinions in public. This 35-article legislation has drawn widespread criticism from international bodies, including the UN and the European Union, which warn that it exacerbates gender persecution and undermines human rights in Afghanistan. Taliban officials defended the law, claiming it is rooted in Islamic teachings and dismissing criticism as 'arrogance'. Rights advocates argue that the law effectively silences women and could lead to broader human rights abuses amidst an existing humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind in India is launching a campaign titled 'Morality is Freedom' to address rising sexual violence and advocate for women's rights. These developments highlight the ongoing struggles for gender equality and human rights in both Afghanistan and India.