The Taliban has introduced a disturbing new rule in Afghanistan, prohibiting women from hearing each other’s voices. Announced by the Minister for the Promotion of Virtue, this bizarre decree states that even when women pray, they must do so quietly enough that others cannot hear them. This raises fears that conversations among women could be effectively banned.
Activists have condemned the ruling, questioning how women, often the sole providers for their families, are supposed to navigate daily life under such restrictions. The move reflects the Taliban’s ongoing campaign to systematically strip away women’s rights since they regained power in August 2021. Women in Afghanistan have already faced numerous limitations, including bans on education, driving, and speaking publicly.
As voices of dissent grow, many women express feelings of despair, highlighting the severe mental toll of living under these oppressive conditions.
