The Taliban in Afghanistan has issued a new decree allowing husbands to physically discipline their wives, as long as it does not cause broken bones, open wounds, or lasting injuries. The move, leaked to Afghan rights group Rawadari, is the first formal codification of such punishments since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021.
Under the law, men who cause serious harm may face only 15 days in prison, while women have limited legal recourse. The decree also grants fathers the authority to punish children and requires teachers who seriously injure students to be dismissed.
Women’s rights activists say the law deepens the oppression of Afghan women, who already face strict restrictions under Taliban rule. Women are barred from most jobs, secondary school, and university, and must have a male guardian to leave home.
The decree further imposes harsh penalties for dissent, animal abuse, and behaviors deemed contrary to Taliban interpretations of Islam. The United Nations and rights groups warn that the regulations legitimize violence and further restrict women’s freedoms.
Activist Mahbouba Seraj described the impact as immediate and devastating, saying women across Afghanistan are increasingly unable to seek protection or justice.
