Hands Off My Wardrobe: Navigating Fashion And Freedom In Afghanistan

In 2021, Afghan women and those of Afghan heritage around the world took to social media to protest the Taliban's strict new clothing requirements for women in schools. Using hashtags such as #DoNotTouchMyClothes and #AfghanistanCulture, they shared photos of themselves wearing colourful traditional Afghan dresses. This campaign was in response to images of women inside Afghanistan dressed in black all-enveloping niqabs and gowns, demonstrating in support of the Taliban at Kabul University. The Taliban's interpretation of Sharia law has led to the segregation of classrooms based on gender and mandated that all female students and teachers wear hijabs. However, Afghan women have emphasised that their traditional clothing is vibrant and colourful, with intricate embroidery, detailed headpieces, and fabric lined with bells, beads and mirrors. This social media-driven demonstration is a powerful statement of resistance and a way to showcase the richness and diversity of Afghan culture.

The #DoNotTouchMyClothes campaign was started by Dr Bahar Jalali, a former history professor at the American University in Afghanistan

Jalali began the campaign by posting a photo of herself wearing a traditional Afghan dress, with the caption: "This is Afghan culture. I am wearing a traditional Afghan dress." She encouraged other Afghans around the world to do the same, and the campaign quickly gained traction, with many people participating.

Jalali explained that her biggest concern was the attack on Afghanistan's identity and sovereignty, and she wanted to use the power of images to show the world the true Afghan culture. She stated: "I felt that it was vital to use the power of images to try and overshadow that incorrect image with something that represents the real Afghanistan."

The campaign was not just about clothing but also about the right to freedom and expression for Afghan women, who have faced persecution under the Taliban regime. It was a way to amplify the voices of local women and stand in solidarity with those facing oppression and growing restrictions in Afghanistan.

The #DoNotTouchMyClothes campaign became a powerful movement, with women from various tribes and regions of Afghanistan sharing photos of themselves in their vibrant and colourful traditional attire. It was a way to showcase the richness and diversity of Afghan culture, with each region and ethnic group having its own unique clothing styles, all united by a common theme of bright colours.

The campaign also served as a form of resistance and defiance against the Taliban's rules, with women refusing to give up their right to choose what they wear. It became a symbol of resilience and identity, as Afghan women refused to let their culture be appropriated and erased.

The campaign is a response to the Taliban's strict dress code for women, which includes the burqa and the niqab

The #DoNotTouchMyClothes campaign is a response to the Taliban's strict dress code for women, which includes the wearing of the burqa and the niqab. The campaign was started by Dr Bahar Jalali, a former history professor at the American University in Afghanistan, who posted a photo of herself in a bright, green Afghan dress with flowers embroidered onto a red backdrop. The post was accompanied by the hashtag #AfghanistanCulture.

The Taliban's strict dress code for women includes the wearing of the burqa and the niqab, which cover the body and face. The Taliban has also mandated that women wear black clothing and gloves, and that female students be taught by other women or, in some cases, "elderly men" of good character.

The #DoNotTouchMyClothes campaign is a form of resistance and a way for Afghan women to preserve their culture and identity. By sharing photos of themselves wearing colourful traditional dresses, Afghan women are pushing back against the Taliban's restrictions and showing that they are not oppressed and do have agency. The campaign also aims to dispel misinformation about Afghan culture and show that it is not represented by the black garments worn by some female Taliban supporters.

The campaign has received support from Afghan women both inside and outside the country, as well as from international supporters. Hundreds of Afghan women have joined the campaign, sharing photos of themselves in traditional dresses with hashtags such as #DoNotTouchMyClothes and #AfghanistanCulture.

Afghan women are using social media to share photos of themselves wearing colourful traditional Afghan dresses

The campaign was started by Dr Bahar Jalali, a former history professor at the American University in Afghanistan, who posted a photo of herself in a bright green Afghan dress with flowers embroidered onto a red backdrop. She wanted to show that the black robes do not represent Afghan culture and that the Taliban's takeover is "an attack on our national identity". She said:

> "I posted a picture of myself wearing traditional Afghan clothing, and I encouraged other Afghans around the world to do the same because I know that images are very powerful. It caught on very quickly. Lots of people participated, which I think really speaks to the sense of urgency about what is going on in Afghanistan."

Other Afghan women have joined the campaign, including journalist Malali Bashir, who has long painted Afghan women in various attires and dances to document Afghan culture. PTM member and human rights activist Spozhmay Maseed also posted a photo of herself in traditional dress with the caption: "The black burqa never has been part of the Afghan culture."

The campaign has gained momentum, with women around the world sharing photos of themselves in traditional Afghan clothing. They want to show that their culture is colourful and vibrant, and that they should have the right to express themselves and choose what they wear. One woman wrote on Twitter:

> "At the end of the day, it comes down to the ability to choose themselves what Afghan women get to wear that is being stripped away by being FORCED to adopt the black niqab as women’s clothing. THIS is traditional Afghan clothing NOT the niqab."

The Taliban's interpretation of sharia law has resulted in gender segregation in classrooms and the mandate that female students and teachers wear hijabs

The Taliban's interpretation of Sharia law has led to gender segregation in classrooms and mandated that female students and teachers wear hijabs. The Taliban's interpretation of Sharia law, or "the way" in Arabic, is based on the Quran and the rulings of Islamic scholars. It acts as a code of conduct for modern Muslims to adhere to, encompassing all aspects of life, from daily routines to personal beliefs.

The Taliban's interpretation of Sharia law has resulted in gender segregation in classrooms, with male and female students being taught separately. In some cases, classrooms are divided by a curtain, while in others, separate classrooms are designated for each gender. This segregation extends beyond the classroom, with women being effectively put under house arrest and forbidden from working or receiving an education. They are also required to be chaperoned by a male relative if they wish to leave the house and must cover their bodies and faces with a burqa.

In addition to gender segregation, the Taliban's interpretation of Sharia law has also mandated that female students and teachers wear hijabs. While the Taliban has not specified whether this means headscarves or compulsory face coverings, their strict dress code has sparked protests from Afghan women, who have taken to social media to share photos of themselves wearing colourful traditional Afghan dresses. This online campaign, with hashtags such as "#DoNotTouchMyClothes" and "#AfghanistanCulture," aims to preserve Afghan culture and resist the Taliban's attempts to impose their dress code on women.

The Taliban's interpretation of Sharia law has had a significant impact on the lives of Afghan women, limiting their freedom, education, and career opportunities. While the Taliban claims to respect women's rights and allow them to work and study, the reality on the ground tells a different story, with women facing severe restrictions and punishments for disobeying the Taliban's rules.

The campaign is a form of resistance and defiance against the Taliban's rules and an attempt to preserve Afghan culture and identity

The #DoNotTouchMyClothes campaign is a form of resistance and defiance against the Taliban's rules and an attempt to preserve Afghan culture and identity. The campaign was started by Dr Bahar Jalali, a former history professor at the American University in Afghanistan, who posted a photo of herself in a bright, green Afghan dress with flowers embroidered onto a red backdrop. The post was captioned: "This is Afghan culture. I am wearing a traditional Afghan dress."

Jalali started the campaign in response to the Taliban's strict dress code for female students, which requires them to wear head-to-toe black robes and follow the group's interpretation of hijab. The campaign is a way for Afghan women to protest against the imposition of this dress code and to show that it does not represent their culture or identity.

Afghan women around the world have joined the campaign, sharing photos of themselves wearing colourful traditional Afghan dresses and using hashtags such as #DoNotTouchMyClothes and #AfghanistanCulture. These women are taking a stand against the Taliban's attempt to erase their culture and identity and are using social media to amplify their voices and spread awareness about the true Afghan culture.

The traditional Afghan attire is known for its intricate, hand-stitched embroidery, detailed headpieces, long pleated skirts, and fabric lined with bells, beads and tiny mirrors. Every tribe and region has its own unique traditional clothing, but they all share a common theme of vibrant colours. By wearing and showcasing these traditional outfits, Afghan women are resisting the Taliban's attempts to impose a foreign and alien culture on them. They are sending a powerful message that they will not give up their right to express themselves and their unique identity.

The #DoNotTouchMyClothes campaign is not just about clothes, but also about the larger issue of preserving Afghan culture and identity in the face of Taliban rule. It is a form of resistance and defiance, with women using their online presence to stage a different kind of protest. It reflects their resilience, identity, and defiance against an unelected, imposed rule. Through this campaign, Afghan women are saying: "Do not take away our culture that we have had for thousands of years." They are using the power of images to try and overshadow the incorrect image of Afghan culture that the Taliban is trying to propagate.

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