New Generation of Afghan Women are Ditching the ‘Blue Burqa’

Ever since the Afghan Taliban came into power in 2021, they have imposed an ultra-strict version of their “Islamic Law” which is based on the previous amendments of their rule from 1996 to 2001. However, to many people’s surprise, especially the Afghan government’s surprise, young Afghani women are ditching their cultural all-enveloping blue burqa. This burqa was once a major symbol of Taliban rule that many women refuse to follow anymore.

How Are Afghan Women Able to Abandon this Attire?

The new Islamic law of Afghanistan is still not compromising on covering women’s bodies, they haven’t specified any strict laws regarding the Burqa.

As a result, women can lean towards Abayas and loose scarves that don’t compromise their body’s coverage but also allows them to be much more free. A modest fashion trend followed in many Gulf nations.

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Not To Be Mistaken With Compromising Modesty

It must be noted that these women don’t want to compromise their modesty in any way with this adaptation, they just wish to be much more free in their movements all while allowing them to follow fashion trends. “I prefer wearing an abaya because I am comfortable in that,” said an Afghani girl.

Many now  prefer a flowing abaya robe, worn with a hijab headscarf and often a face covering as well — sometimes a medical mask, or a Saudi-style cloth niqab veil that exposes only the eyes.

The Women’s Shift From Burqa to Abaya

The burqa has long roots in Afghanistan. It was strictly enforced during the first Taliban government rule of Afghanistan, when women were “lashed” for failing to wear one in public. But the abaya and hijab headscarf combination grew in popularity during the time of the foreign-backed government.

When the Taliban recaptured Kabul in 2021, they had promised to be more flexible than during their first rule, when women were deprived of almost all their rights. Hence, allowing the shift to happen.

Hayatullah Rafiqi, a specialist in Pakhtun culture, said the burqa was “strictly imposed” under the first Taliban government — when some women were “whipped if they did not wear it” — but that “today it is worn less”.

Still a Gender Apartheid Of Afghan Women

According to people, this is just some crumbs of flexibility and that their is no major change in the regressive policies specifically targeted to women. Even so that the United Nations has categorized this as a “gender apartheid”. However, this time women aren’t as non existent on Afghanistan’s roads like it was before. Hopefully, this is just the start of a much more progressive future!