The Taliban requires female TV MCs to cover their faces when on air

A woman covers her face on the street of Kabul, Afghanistan, May 9 – Photo: REUTERS

“Yesterday, we met with media officials… they happily accepted the advice,” said Akif Mahajar, spokesman for the Ministry of Virtue Propaganda and Prevention.

Sharing with Reuters news agency, Mr. Mahajar believes this rule will be well received by Afghans.

Mr Mahajar said the move was only “advice” but did not respond to a Reuters question about the consequences of not following the advice.

Hostesses can wear medical masks, which are widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Propaganda of Virtue and Prevention of Evil Taliban added that the “deadline” to cover the face of a TV presenter is May 21.

Previously, on May 7, the Taliban government required women to cover their faces in public.

In the event of failure to comply with this provision, the woman’s father or the woman’s closest male relative will be summoned, detained, or removed from government positions.

The Taliban government also says that the ideal face covering is a blue burqa that covers the entire head and shoulders. This scarf was once considered a symbol of the first repressive rule of the Taliban from 1996-2001.

Most Afghan women wear headscarves for religious reasons, but many in urban areas like Kabul don’t cover their faces.

Women in Afghanistan have pursued work and education after the Taliban government was toppled in 2001. However, since taking power back in August 2021, the Taliban have re-imposed many restrictions on women, such as men who must be accompanied or girls over the age of 13 who have not yet returned to school.