The Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice of the caretaker government has reacted to the report from UNAMA’s Human Rights section, denying the imposition of restrictions on women without a male guardian by the ministry’s officials.
In a statement released today (Tuesday, January 28), the ministry claimed that this report is “far from reality and based on a Western viewpoint.”
On Monday, January 27, the Human Rights section of UNAMA published a report stating that the requirement for women to have a male guardian, which is not clearly explained in the law on Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, has created further obstacles for women, including access to public services, employment, and activities outside the home.
UNAMA reported receiving information that officials from the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice have instructed health clinics, shops, markets, and restaurants not to provide services to women without a male guardian.
However, the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has described this part of UNAMA’s report as “untrue” and an attempt to discredit the ministry.
The ministry emphasized that there is no such stipulation in their law on Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, and that a male guardian is only deemed necessary for women traveling more than 72 kilometers.
Additionally, UNAMA stated in part of its report that officials from the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice impose arbitrary restrictions that are not included in the law.
For example, UNAMA mentioned that in October 2024, the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice office in Hazrat Sultan district of Samangan issued written instructions to drivers prohibiting women from sitting in the front seat of vehicles. In November, officials instructed female nurses working in the emergency department of a private hospital in Kabul to stop working there and instead work in areas designated for women, such as obstetrics and gynecology.
The Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has rejected claims of imposing restrictions on the rights of women and girls, stating that UNAMA should also report on the ministry’s achievements in preventing violence against women and facilitating their access to alimony, inheritance, and dowry.
The ministry has also requested that UNAMA consider “the religious and cultural values of the people” in its reports and refrain from unrealistic criticisms.
