Daily Current Affairs : 9-September-2024

The Taliban’s new “morality law,” enforced by the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, introduces a set of harsh regulations that particularly target Afghan women and minorities. This 114-page law formalizes restrictions that severely limit personal freedoms, reinforcing an oppressive environment reminiscent of the Taliban’s previous rule from 1996 to 2001.

Key Aspects of the Morality Law

The new law brings strict measures that impact women, men, and minority groups in Afghanistan. Some of the most notable provisions include:

  • Full-Body Veiling: The law mandates that women cover their entire bodies, including their faces, to prevent what the Taliban describes as “temptation.” This measure further limits a woman’s ability to move freely and express herself in public.
  • Suppression of Women’s Voices: According to the law, a woman’s voice is now considered “intimate” and must be kept private. Women are prohibited from singing, reading aloud, or publicly reciting anything, even in educational or professional settings.
  • Restriction on Social Interaction: Men and women who are not related by blood or marriage are forbidden from interacting in any public setting. This ban isolates women and curtails their ability to participate in social, educational, and professional life.
  • Persecution of Minorities: The law also targets LGBTQ individuals and religious minorities, further discriminating against already vulnerable groups in Afghanistan.

Ethical Issues with the Law

The “morality law” raises several ethical concerns, particularly in its treatment of women and minorities:

  • Gender Apartheid: The law enforces systematic discrimination against women, stripping them of basic freedoms and rights that are central to human dignity and equality.
  • Suppression of Free Expression: By banning women from speaking or singing in public, the law suppresses their ability to express themselves and participate in cultural or intellectual life.
  • Forced Veiling: The mandatory full-body covering goes beyond personal choice, infringing on a woman’s right to dress as she pleases.
  • Fear and Control: The law encourages citizens to report “violations” of the rules, creating a culture of fear and surveillance in which people are punished for not complying with oppressive standards.
  • Arbitrary Punishments: Morality inspectors are given wide-reaching powers to punish those who break the law, often with little to no accountability.

Important Points:

Key Aspects of the Taliban’s Morality Law:
  • Full-Body Veiling: Women are required to cover their entire bodies, including faces, to prevent “temptation.”
  • Suppression of Women’s Voices: Women are banned from speaking, singing, or reciting in public.
  • Restriction on Social Interaction: Men and women unrelated by blood or marriage cannot interact in public.
  • Persecution of Minorities: The law targets LGBTQ individuals and religious minorities, further marginalizing them.
Ethical Issues with the Law:
  • Gender Apartheid: Systematic discrimination against women, limiting their rights and freedoms.
  • Suppression of Free Expression: Women are banned from speaking or singing publicly, stifling their self-expression.
  • Forced Veiling: Women are mandated to wear full-body veils, infringing on their personal choice and freedom.
  • Fear and Control: Citizens are encouraged to report “violations,” fostering an environment of fear and surveillance.
  • Arbitrary Punishments: Morality inspectors have broad powers to punish those who break the law, often without accountability.

Why In News

The Taliban’s new 114-page “morality law,” enforced by the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, formalizes restrictions on Afghan women, severely limiting their rights and freedoms. This law further entrenches the Taliban’s control over women’s lives, imposing strict codes of behavior that mirror those from their previous regime.

MCQs about The Taliban’s New Morality Law

  1. What is one of the key provisions of the Taliban’s new “morality law” regarding women?
    A. Women are allowed to work freely without restrictions.
    B. Women must cover their entire bodies, including their faces.
    C. Women are allowed to speak and sing in public.
    D. Women are free to interact with men in public spaces.
    Correct Answer: B. Women must cover their entire bodies, including their faces.
    Explanation: The law mandates that women wear full-body veils, including face coverings, to prevent “temptation.” This is one of the key provisions that restricts women’s freedoms in public.
  2. What does the law say about women’s voices in public?
    A. Women are encouraged to speak out in public debates.
    B. Women are allowed to sing in public if they wish.
    C. Women’s voices are considered “intimate” and banned from public singing or reciting.
    D. Women are allowed to express themselves freely in all settings.
    Correct Answer: C. Women’s voices are considered “intimate” and banned from public singing or reciting.
    Explanation: The law forbids women from speaking or singing publicly, as it views their voices as “intimate,” further suppressing their freedom of expression.
  3. Which group is NOT specifically targeted by the Taliban’s “morality law”?
    A. Women
    B. Men unrelated by blood or marriage
    C. LGBTQ individuals
    D. Children under the age of 12
    Correct Answer: D. Children under the age of 12
    Explanation: The law specifically targets women, LGBTQ individuals, and men unrelated by blood or marriage. It does not mention specific provisions for children under the age of 12.
  4. How does the “morality law” enforce compliance among Afghan citizens?
    A. By encouraging free expression and debate.
    B. By creating an atmosphere of fear and encouraging citizens to report “violations.”
    C. By providing rewards for those who follow the rules.
    D. By allowing women to have a voice in public matters.
    Correct Answer: B. By creating an atmosphere of fear and encouraging citizens to report “violations.”
    Explanation: The law encourages citizens to report violations, fostering a climate of fear and surveillance where individuals are punished for not complying with the Taliban’s strict rules.

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