Hijab: A multi-layered dilemma in Afghanistan – The Leaflet
LeafletOct 16, 2023
Afghanistan: Taliban Arrests Girls for Violations of Hijab Rules
The Facts
The Taliban have detained dozens of young women across the Afghan capital, Kabul, in the past week, reportedly for "spreading and encouraging others to wear a bad hijab."
According to a senior Taliban spokesperson, a group of women involved in "modeling" had been briefly detained and "advised in front of their family," adding that none of the women were imprisoned.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Since retaking control of Afghanistan after the US military's withdrawal in August 2021, the Taliban have expedited their war against women. Their so-called dress code is inherently discriminatory, amounts to gender persecution, and violates women's fundamental rights, including freedom of opinion and expression. The latest operation in Kabul just intends to crack down on women and girls still bravely working in sectors like health and primary education.
Establishment-critical narrative
Contrary to Western propaganda, the Taliban respect and protect women, and are punishing a limited few who are attempting to pollute young minds and create divisions in Afghan society by improperly wearing the Islamic headscarf. Ironically, the wearing of a hijab is being de-contextualized and misrepresented by the West, which treats the rights of women in Afghanistan differently than the rights of women elsewhere in the world.
Nerd narrative
There's a 47% chance that Taliban-controlled Afghanistan will be used as a base for anti-NATO terrorism by 2026, according to the Metaculus prediction community.