In Afghanistan, Taliban diktat sparks debate about women’s attire

Afghan women have traditionally worn the burqa - mostly sold in shades of blue, white and grey - but the black robes are less common across the country [File: Mohd Rasfan/AFP]

Kabul, Afghanistan – Many Afghan women in the capital Kabul have protested against a poster campaign launched by the Taliban, encouraging women to wear a burqa or hijab.

The Afghan Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice plastered posters across Kabul’s cafés and shops earlier this month to encourage the wearing of the burqa, a full-body veil that also covers the face. It did not issue an official directive.