Taliban segregates men and women in parks, restaurants in Herat province

Men and women in Herat, Afghanistan, will no longer be allowed to eat out in restaurants together or visit parks on the same day under orders from the Taliban.

The Jihadists are continuing to tighten their Islamist rule following President Joe Biden's withdrawal in August 2021. Earlier this week, the Taliban started requiring women to cover from head-to-toe with a full face covering in public. Women were banned from traveling alone last month.

Driving instructors in Herat are under orders to stop issuing licenses to female drivers, AFP reported.

Herat, Afghanistan's third-largest city, was considered liberal compared to the rest of the country.

The Ministry for Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Herat said officials "have instructed that men and women be segregated in restaurants."

Owners have received a verbal warning that sexes must be separated "even if they are husband and wife," ministry head and Taliban official Riazullah Seerat told AFP.

One restaurant manager identified as Safiullah said he received the decree and is concerned that he will have to fire staff if the ban remains.

"We have to follow the order, but it has a very negative impact on our business," Safiullah said.

The ministry also issued a decree to segregate Herat's public parks by gender, Seerat stated.

"We have told women to visit parks on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday," he said. "The other days are kept for men who can visit for leisure and for exercise."

Women who want to exercise the other four days of the week must find a "safe place or do it in their homes," he said.