Human Rights Watch: Covering the faces of female presenters on television is a clear violation of women’s rights

Following reactions to the Taliban’s recent order to cover the faces of female presenters on television during program, Human Rights Watch said the Taliban order was a clear violation of women’s rights and personal freedoms.

A statement from Human Rights Watch said the Taliban’s order would be problematic for deaf or hard of hearing people who could understand the movements of the lips.

It also called on diplomats to force Taliban officials to lift restrictions on women when talking to them, adding that the order was part of a continuing Taliban movement that had previously restricted girls’ education and barred women from working. It has reduced women’s freedom of movement, curtailed women’s access to health care, and eliminated protectionist measures for women in Afghanistan.

In a new order, the Taliban have ordered all female presenters on televisions to cover their faces while performing.