Women in Taliban Face New Transportation Nightmare: Burqas!

Struggle for Mobility: The Plight of Women and Rickshaw Drivers in Taliban-Controlled Afghanistan

In the wake of recent developments in Afghanistan, the Taliban's return to power has had severe repercussions on the lives of its citizens, especially women. Beyond the restrictions imposed on women's rights, a lesser-known but equally troubling consequence is the impact on those who provide public transportation services, such as motorized rickshaw drivers. Fereydun, a rickshaw driver from Herat, recounts the heartbreaking reality of his job and the harsh consequences he faces for attempting to transport women who are not fully clothed.

In the past, Fereydun's rickshaw was a lifeline for many women, allowing them to commute with ease and independence. However, since the Taliban's takeover, Fereydun has been forced to abandon this essential service for women. The Taliban's stringent enforcement of their version of Islamic law dictates that women must be fully clothed, specifically wearing the burqa, while in public. Failure to adhere to this dress code results in severe consequences.

For Fereydun, the consequences of disregarding the Taliban's orders have been both physically and emotionally taxing. Despite his willingness to help women in need, he has faced multiple confrontations with the Taliban. Each time, he has been stopped and reprimanded for carrying women who were not fully covered in burqas. Witnessing the horrifying treatment of these women, forcibly removed from his rickshaw and subjected to verbal abuse, has left Fereydun feeling powerless and anguished.