Taliban Imposes Further Restrictions on Women in Kandahar, Banning Outdoor Activities and Unaccompanied Hospital Visits
In Kandahar province, the Taliban has escalated restrictions on women's daily lives, aiming to confine them to their homes. New directives prohibit women from washing clothes in streams and rivers, walking outdoors for exercise or leisure, and accessing hospitals without a male guardian. Additionally, shops are forbidden from selling goods directly to women, and men are barred from making such sales. The Taliban's Council of Scholars reportedly issued these orders, with violators facing punishment. These measures are part of a broader pattern of restrictions that include bans on black-colored veils, begging by women in cities, and playing music or singing at celebrations. Women in Kandahar report that these restrictions have disrupted household routines, forcing them to wash clothes with limited water at home and preventing access to essential services like healthcare. One woman recounted being denied entry to a hospital with her pregnant daughter-in-law because they lacked a male guardian, forcing her son... 
