Herat protest dispersed as tensions rise over women’s dress enforcement in Afghanistan

A women’s rights protest in Afghanistan’s western Herat province was dispersed by security officials on Tuesday after residents said members of the Taliban’s morality police detained women accused of violating mandatory dress requirements.

Witnesses claimed that one person was killed, several others were injured, and dozens of protesters, including women and girls, were arrested during the incident. Taliban authorities have not confirmed any casualties or detentions.

According to Sayed Masoud Hosseini, spokesperson for Herat police, the gathering in the Jebrail area created tensions and disturbed public order under the pretext of opposing the hijab, which he described as a religious obligation. He said the situation escalated as authorities sought to restore order.

Residents said the protest began when officials from the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice attempted to detain women accused of opposing the mandatory dress code. Some locals, however, claimed that even women already adhering to the required dress standards, which include full-body and face covering, were targeted during the enforcement action.

Videos circulating from Herat showed armed officials dispersing the crowd, with fully veiled women among those present. In one clip, people were seen running for cover as gunshots were heard in the background, though the exact circumstances of the firing could not be independently verified.

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Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban administration has imposed strict restrictions on women and girls, including limits on education, employment, and public life, drawing widespread international criticism.

Herat, historically considered one of Afghanistan’s most culturally active cities, has seen significant social changes under the current rules. On Monday, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan expressed concern over reports of women being detained for allegedly failing to comply with dress regulations, urging authorities to respect freedom of movement and equality before the law.