Taliban’s New Law Allows Men To Physically Punish Their Wives If Injuries Aren't Severe

Last Updated:February 18, 2026, 22:11 IST

The Taliban's new penal code legalising domestic violence has been condemned by Rawadari which called for action by the United Nations and international bodies.

The Taliban has published a new penal code that “legalized" domestic violence on women.

According to a report by The Mirror, a new 90-page penal code introduced by the Taliban allows husbands to physically punish their wives and children – as long as the abuse does not result in “broken bones or open wounds".

As per the new laws, the husband may face a maximum of 15 days imprisonment in cases of “obscene force", such as visible fractures or injuries. However, conviction can only be sought if the wife can successfully prove the abuse in court.

Also Read: ‘Ghulami’ Legitimised, Clerics Above The Law: Why The Taliban’s New Criminal Code Is Under Fire

According to The Independent, the women are required to prove they have suffered serious bodily harm by showing their wounds to the judge, while at the same time being required to remain fully covered. They also have to be accompanied to the court by their husband or male chaperone (mahram) – though the majority of offenders in such cases are the husbands themselves.

Besides, the married woman can face jail for up to three months if she visits her relatives without her husband’s explicit permission.

According to The Mirror, the law uses language effectively treating wives as the “property" or “slaves" of their husbands, and strips away vital protections, such as the 2009 law on the Elimination of Violence Against Women (EVAW), which was introduced during the previous US-backed regime.

Condemning the new law, campaigners from exiled Afghan human rights group Rawadari have warned that this would legitimise the “abuse, maltreatment, and punishment" of women and children – and expose them to “continued domestic violence".

They demanded an “immediate halt of the implementation of the criminal procedure code" by the Taliban courts, and also called for the international community, the United Nations, and “other relevant international bodies" to “utilise all legal instruments" to prevent it coming into force.

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