ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

JUNE 14, 2026 15:46

The Taliban continues to use strong measures against demonstrators and detain women for alleged breaches of Islamic dress standards, based on reports from the United Nations, various NGOs, and global media outlets.

Officials in the western Afghan city of Herat took at least 30 women into custody for breaking the imposed dress rules, as verified by the UN women's rights agency late last week, with some later freed.

Of those detained, a Médecins Sans Frontières staff member was held for two days in early June after being stopped by the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Ministry while heading to Herat Regional hospital for not following the required women's dress standards.

She was freed on June 8 once she, her husband, and her family agreed in writing to wear garments chosen by the ministry.

Herat saw protests that faced harsh suppression

Public outrage over the treatment of women sparked demonstrations in Herat demanding work, education, and freedom, but these were met with force by the ruling group.

Independent experts noted that security forces reportedly fired on crowds including men, women, and children, and beat some participants, resulting in at least two deaths including a boy and over 20 injuries.

A witness described to Human Rights Watch how shooting caused panic, with forces targeting fleeing people and even striking children to disperse them, leaving many too afraid to seek hospital care.

Local accounts indicated that after ending the protests, forces searched homes and hospitals for those injured during the events.

Despite evidence from reports, witnesses, and recordings, the Taliban rejected claims of widespread abuses as unfounded rumors, while the Prevention of Vice Ministry stated that the hijab is a required divine rule.

The morality code treats a woman's face as private, requiring full coverage in public.

Fereshta Abbasi of Human Rights Watch noted that the authorities aim to suppress any opposition, thereby increasing restrictions on basic freedoms.

Women face growing limits on daily life

Since taking power in 2021, the Taliban has imposed stricter rules limiting women's options, including a recent decree that may block child brides from seeking divorce.

The new rule states that upon reaching puberty a minor may end a marriage arranged by relatives, yet silence is viewed as agreement if no objection is voiced.

Spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid explained that a girl might feel shy about expressing consent, so her quiet is accepted as approval.

Females remain barred from schooling past sixth grade, face bans from most public areas, and husbands may strike wives without causing fractures or visible marks.

Penal rules set short jail terms for severe spousal beatings but allow longer sentences for animal fighting offenses.

Abbasi added that punishing expression only compounds the record of rights violations rather than ending criticism.