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Afghan women facing arrest for wearing makeup and alleged dress code violations, UN says

UNAMA said many were released after hours in detention, and the true number of cases may be higher because fear and stigma limit reporting.

  • The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan verified at least 52 women and one girl arrested or detained in Herat and Kabul between July and September for alleged dress code violations, prompting UNAMA to express grave concern.
  • Since seizing power in 2021, the Taliban government imposed rules based on strict interpretation of Islamic law, with the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice enforcing requirements including full hijab, headscarf, long robe and face covering.
  • Alleged violations included wearing colorful scarves or makeup, leaving hair visible or not wearing a chador; a June protest in Herat over arrests turned violent when authorities opened fire, killing at least one person.
  • Beyond documented arrests, UNAMA reported verbal abuse, beatings and threats against women including female shopkeepers, with detentions exposing victims to severe social stigma; actual cases likely far exceed 52 due to underreporting.
  • UNAMA urged Taliban authorities to cease targeting women and uphold international human rights obligations, as nearly 6.5 million Afghans returned from Iran and Pakistan since 2023 facing acute reintegration barriers including 69% unemployment.
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26 Articles

Lean Left

THE UN MISSION in Afghanistan has reported the arrest of dozens of women for violating strict dress codes.

·Zagreb, Croatia
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Associated Press NewsAssociated Press News
+10 Reposted by 10 other sources
Lean Left

Afghan women facing arrest for wearing makeup and alleged dress code violations, UN says

The Taliban has arrested dozens of women in Afghanistan in recent months for alleged dress code violations, the United Nations says.

·New York, United States
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UN News broke the news in New York, United States on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
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