Presenters from various television stations in Afghanistan this Sunday (22) began covering their faces to go on the air to obey orders from the Taliban regime.
Since the Taliban regained power in the Asian country in August following the withdrawal of USled Western forces, they have imposed a series of restrictions on civil society, many targeting women.
Earlier this month, the Taliban supreme leader issued an order for women to cover themselves fully when going out in public, ideally in the traditional burqa. Until then, towels that covered the hair were enough.
The Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice resorted to threats to ensure the country’s television presenters began covering their faces from this Sunday. Up until the day before, the press professionals continued to show their faces.
This Sunday, presenters from Tolo News, Ariana Television, Shamshad TV and 1TV accepted the decision and appeared on the air show wearing masks, leaving only their eyes uncovered.
“We fight back, we are against the operation [do véu completo]Sonia Niazi, moderator of Tolo News, told AFP news agency. “But the broadcaster was under pressure [os talibãs] They said that any presenter who appeared on screen without covering her face should be reassigned to a different role.”
The channel’s director, Khpolwak Sapai, said the channel had been forced to enforce order among its professionals. “Yesterday [sábado] They called me and sternly told me to follow the rule. So we don’t do it voluntarily, we were forced to do it.”
Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Mohamad Sadeq Akif Mohajir said the authorities had no intention of forcing the presenters to quit their jobs. “We are glad that the broadcasters have taken their responsibility properly,” he told the AFP news agency.
Out there
Government officials who disobey orders to cover their faces risk being fired.
Even before dress codes were introduced, the Taliban had banned Afghan women from traveling unaccompanied and enforced the separation of girls and boys in schools.
Thus, the radical group is abandoning the moderation speech it adopted when it regained power last year and reinstating the restrictions in place during the first period I ruled Afghanistan, between 1996 and 2001.