Urban Afghan women are increasingly abandoning the traditional blue burqa in favor of the abaya, a trend influenced by Gulf fashion. While the Taliban mandate full-body coverage, their restrictions do not explicitly require the burqa, leading younger women to opt for the more comfortable and varied abaya with a hijab and face covering.
“The new generation would never accept wearing a burqa because of the design and color,” said 23-year-old Tahmina Adel from Kabul, who, despite being forced out of university due to the Taliban’s education ban, still follows fashion trends on social media.
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Many women find the burqa stifling, with some switching to abayas that allow more freedom. However, in Taliban-controlled offices, women like 22-year-old Niha report being pressured to cover their faces, sometimes even with a medical mask.
Despite the Taliban’s claim that there is “no difference” between a burqa and hijab, the shift towards abayas highlights a silent resistance against oppressive dress codes in Afghanistan.
