The United Nations agency for women’s rights said the Taliban arrested at least 30 women, accusing them of violating dress code requirements.
un women said on Thursday He was “gravely concerned” by the arrests, saying they had increased fear and apprehension among women and girls.
The arrests come amid a growing struggle for women in Afghanistan, after dozens of people joined a rare protest last weekend to condemn the actions of Taliban officials in the western city of Herat.
While information on the protests is difficult to verify, local media reported that the Taliban’s “morality police,” or Department for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, had detained some women days before the protests for allegedly failing to follow hijab rules.
But local officials have denied reports that women were arrested.
Since taking over Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has reduced women’s roles in various areas of public life such as banning them from attending schools beyond the sixth grade and severely limiting their employment opportunities.
Taliban reportedly fired on protesters
Local media said last weekend’s protests began when ethics officers arrested women protesting the mandatory dress requirement, which requires women to be completely covered in public except for their eyes.
Video on social media, though unverified, showed armed officers breaking up the demonstration, which included fully veiled women among the protesters.
UN Women said in a statement on Thursday that Taliban security forces allegedly opened fire on crowds of protesters, targeting men, women and children.
At least two people, including a boy, died and more than 20 were injured.
Herat, long considered one of Afghanistan’s most cultural and artistic centers, was one of the first major cities to fall to the Taliban in 2021.
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Edited by: Wesley Rahn