All women TV presenters must cover their faces on air, says Taliban

KABUL: The Taliban has ordered that all women television presenters in Afghanistan must cover their faces when on air. Taliban added that the law would apply to all media in Afghanistan.

The Taliban have ordered Afghan women TV presenters to cover their faces. Yalda Ali is the host of Tolo TV and has published this video. let’s be her voice!! pic.twitter.com/XA4BXwToSr

— marzieh hamidi (@MarziehHamidi) May 19, 2022

"Yesterday we met with media officials... they accepted our advice very happily," Akif Mahajar, spokesman for the Taliban's Ministry of Vice and Virtue, told media. He said that this move would be received well by Afghans.

While he framed the move as "advice", Mahajar added: "The last date for face covering for TV presenters is May 21," referring to when compliance with the new requirement should begin.

He did not respond to a query on what the consequences would be of not following the advice.

Most Afghan women wear a headscarf for religious reasons, but many in urban areas such as Kabul do not cover their faces. During the Taliban's last rule from 1996 to 2001, it was obligatory for women to wear the all-encompassing blue burqa.