UNAMA: Taliban Detain 53 Women and Girls Over Dress Restrictions in Kabul and Herat
Bareen Media – The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) says Taliban authorities arrested or detained at least 52 women and one girl in Kabul and Herat between July and September 2026 over alleged violations of dress restrictions.
In a statement published on October 8, UNAMA said women were detained for reasons including not wearing a chador, having visible hair, wearing colorful scarves or makeup, and appearing in public without a male guardian, known as a mahram.
The mission said those detained were released after spending several hours in custody, while warning that the actual number of cases could be higher because of underreporting linked to security concerns and social stigma.
UNAMA also expressed concern over reports of verbal abuse, beatings, and threats against women, including female shopkeepers, and called on Taliban authorities to end discriminatory practices against women and girls.
