At Least 20 Afghan Women and Girls Detained in Kabul in Latest Taliban Crackdown
At least 20 Afghan women and girls were reportedly detained by Taliban morality enforcers in Kabul’s Taimani area on September 12, though another report cited at least eight detainees. Some women said they were wearing hijab, and several reported overnight detention and physical mistreatment; the allegations were not independently verified.
Videos appeared to show a woman being forced toward a vehicle, but the footage’s timing and circumstances could not be confirmed. The reported arrests come amid expanding Taliban restrictions on women’s education, employment, movement, clothing, and participation in public life.
At least 20 Afghan women and girls were reportedly detained by Taliban morality enforcers in Kabul’s Taimani area on Saturday, September 12, in the latest reported crackdown linked to the authorities’ rules on women’s appearance and public behavior.According to Amu TV, several women who were detained said they had been wearing hijab when they were taken into custody.
The report said some of the women were held overnight and that several detainees described physical mistreatment during their detention. These allegations could not be independently verified.Afghanistan International separately reported that at least eight women were detained in Taimani on the same evening, citing residents and sources familiar with the incident.
The outlet noted that other media reports had put the number of detainees at around 20, including a pregnant woman.Videos circulating on social media also appeared to show a woman being forced toward a white vehicle while other women tried to resist the detention.
Afghanistan International reported that residents identified the incident as part of the arrests, although the exact circumstances and timing of the footage could not be independently confirmed.The reported arrests come as Afghan women and girls continue to face extensive restrictions under Taliban rule.
Women have been restricted from secondary and higher education, many forms of employment and various areas of public life. Rules governing women’s clothing and movement have also been increasingly enforced by morality authorities.
The reported incident has renewed concerns among Afghan women about their safety and freedom of movement in Kabul. While the Taliban had not publicly provided a detailed explanation for the reported Taimani arrests at the time of publication, the accounts highlight the uncertainty many women face as authorities continue enforcing strict social regulations across Afghanistan.
