Afghan women facing arrest for dress code violations: UN
Quick Look
- At least 52 women and one girl were arrested or detained in Herat and Kabul between July and September 2026 for violating Taliban-imposed dress codes, according to a UN statement.
- The detentions, which involved violations such as not wearing a chador or being in public without a male chaperone, were condemned by UNAMA as violations of freedom of movement and expression.
- The report follows a June protest in Herat where Afghan authorities opened fire, killing at least one person, and comes amid ICC arrest warrants for Taliban officials over crimes against humanity related to women's rights.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Since seizing power in 2021 following the withdrawal of US-led forces, the Taliban government has imposed severe restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan, including banning education beyond primary level and enforcing strict dress codes requiring full hijab and male chaperones in public. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice enforces these rules.
At least 52 women and one girl were arrested or detained in the Afghan cities of Herat and Kabul between July and September of 2026, according to a statement released by the United Nations on Thursday.
"Women were detained for not wearing a chador [an all-enveloping, cloak-like garment], having visible hair, wearing colourful scarves or makeup, or being in public without a mahram [male chaperone]," the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said.
According to the mission, the detained women were released after being held for several hours. It also warned that the number of cases could be higher due to underreporting.
UNAMA said it was "gravely concerned" by the arrests, detentions, and threats of arrest.
The mission stated that the detentions violate women's and girls' rights to freedom of movement, expression, and autonomy. The detentions also expose them to severe social stigma in traditional Afghan society, UNAMA said.
In June, Afghan authorities opened fire on a rare protest in Herat over the arrests and detentions of women for alleged dress code violations. According to witnesses and the UN mission, at least one person was killed and several others were injured.
What restrictions do women in Afghanistan face?
Since seizing power in 2021 as US-led forces withdrew from Afghanistan, the Taliban government has imposed severe restrictions on women and girls, including banning them from attending school beyond the primary level and limiting what they can wear and where they can go.
In public, women must wear a full hijab, which includes a headscarf, a long robe that covers the body, and a face covering. The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice enforces these rules.
Earlier this week, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued four arrest warrants for senior Taliban officials, accusing them of committing crimes against humanity by systematically depriving women and girls in Afghanistan of their rights.
Hovewer, the Taliban rejected the decision, calling it a politically motivated violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty.
Edited by: Karl Sexton
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
The Taliban will continue to enforce dress code restrictions despite international pressure, leading to further detentions and potential escalation of protests.
Likely · Within months
The ICC will pursue diplomatic and legal avenues to pressure the Taliban, possibly seeking cooperation from regional states to enforce arrest warrants.
Possible · Within months
Open Questions
- What are the long-term psychological and social impacts of these detentions on Afghan women and girls?
- How will the ICC enforce arrest warrants given the Taliban's non-recognition of the court's authority?
- Are there ongoing efforts by international actors to provide safe passage or asylum for women at risk of detention?
- What specific legal basis does the Taliban claim for enforcing dress codes and mahram requirements?
