In a stark return to hardline practices, the Taliban has confirmed the arrest of women in Kabul, Afghanistan, for not adhering to their imposed dress code, labeled as a "bad hijab." This marks the first enforcement action of its kind since the Taliban regained control in 2021. The arrests, conducted by female police officers, come after repeated advisories were ignored.

The Taliban's Vice and Virtue Ministry spokesman did not disclose specific details about the arrests, but he affirmed that these actions were taken nationwide for any woman failing to comply with the hijab requirement. This crackdown on clothing is part of broader restrictions imposed on Afghan women, affecting education, employment, and access to public spaces.

The international community, including the UN Security Council and the U.S. State Department, has expressed grave concerns about the Taliban's repressive policies, emphasizing their impact on women's rights and the group's efforts to normalize relations globally. The enforcement of this dress code highlights a regression in women's rights under the Taliban, underscoring the group's fundamentalist interpretation of Islamic law.