Kabul ban on girls singing is reversed

KABUL, Afghanistan — The Afghan government has reversed Kabul authorities’ ban on schoolgirls older than 12 singing in public at official ceremonies after mounting backlash, including a social media campaign of videos uploaded by Afghan girls and women singing their favorite songs in protest.

The ban was issued last week by Kabul’s education directorate, and the criticism was almost instantaneous — including from officials. Within days, dozens of videos marked with the hashtag #IAmMySong were uploaded to Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms.

Late Saturday night, the federal Education Ministry said the ban “does not reflect the positions or policies of the Ministry” and that it is investigating the matter.

The controversy comes as Afghan leaders are negotiating with the Taliban to end decades of war. The peace talks are intended to tackle issues such as the rights of women and minorities, but the two sides have not officially discussed such matters. Many activists fear that if a power-sharing government is formed, gains made over the past 20 years in areas such as civil liberties and women’s rights could be lost.

Overturning the ban “was a small victory for us,” said Fariha Easar, a 32-year-old activist who was one of the people spearheading the song campaign. She said some officials are attempting to implement increasingly conservative policies ahead of the Taliban potentially assuming formal power.

“We already know how the Taliban defines women’s rights,” Easar said. “That’s why we cannot stop our movement.”

(AP/Paul White) A couple relax in hammocks Sunday at a park in Madrid.