In Afghanistan, TV presenters cover their faces on the air

Europe 1 with AFP 11:44 a.m., May 22, 2022

Female presenters from major Afghan TV channels went on the air Sunday wearing face coverings, a day after defying a Taliban order to conceal their appearance and thereby submit to the group's austere view of Islam.

Since returning to power last year, the Taliban have imposed a series of insidious restrictions on civil society, many of which are aimed at limiting women's rights.

Earlier this month, the Taliban's supreme leader issued an order that women must cover themselves fully in public, including the face, ideally with the traditional burqa.

Previously, a scarf covering the hair was enough.

© WAKIL KOHSAR / AFP

A strict new dress code

Afghanistan's dreaded Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Afghanistan had ordered female TV presenters to comply by Saturday.

But the female journalists opted out of the order on Saturday, going live without covering their faces.

Before turning around.

On Sunday, they wore the full veil, revealing only their eyes and forehead, to present the newspapers on the TOLOnews, Ariana Television, Shamshad TV and 1TV channels.

"We resisted and were against the wearing" of the full veil, assured AFP Sonia Niazi, a presenter from TOLOnews.

"But TOLOnews was pressured, (the Taliban) said that any presenter who appeared on screen without covering her face should be given another job," she said.

Mohammad Sadeq Akif Mohajir, spokesman for the Ministry of Promoting Virtue and Preventing Vice, said the authorities had no intention of forcing the presenters out of their jobs.

"We are happy that the channels have correctly exercised their responsibility", he commented.

The Taliban have ordered that women working in government be fired if they fail to adhere to the new dress code.

Male employees also risk being suspended if their wives or daughters do not comply.