Almost all women in Afghanistan wear a head scarf, or hijab, in public. However, the Taliban have said women should wear long flowing clothes covering their bodies and faces, such as the all-enveloping burqa. Some women in Kabul and other urban centers do not cover their faces in public and others wear surgical face masks.

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. Finally, The Taliban say they respect women’s rights in accordance with their interpretation of Islamic law.                                                                               

By: Kiyya Khalid Ali