Purdah

Pardah or purdah (from Hindi-Urdu پردہ, पर्दा, meaning "curtain") is a religious and social practice of sex segregation prevalent among some Muslim, Zoroastrian^[1] and Hindu communities.^{[2][3][4][5][6]} The purdah garment is the same as a burqa, or yashmak, i.e a veil to conceals the face.

The practice generally takes two forms: social segregation of the sexes and the requirement that women cover their bodies, as well as traditionally the faces. A woman who practices purdah can be referred to as pardanashin or purdahnishan.

Practices that restricted women's mobility and behavior existed among religious groups in India and Zoroastrian Iran since ancient times and intensified with the arrival of Islam.^[7] By the 19th century, purdah became customary among Hindu elites.^[7] Purdah was not strictly observed by lower-class women.^[8]

Physical segregation within buildings is achieved with judicious use of walls, curtains, and screens. A woman's withdrawal into purdah usually restricts her personal, social and economic activities outside her home.

Married Hindu women in parts of Northern India observe purdah, with some women wearing a ghoonghat in the presence of older male relations on their husbands' side;^[9] Muslim women observe purdah through the wearing of a burqa.^[10]

Purdah has been rigorously observed under the Taliban in Afghanistan, where women are required to observe complete purdah at all times while in public. Only close male family members and other women are allowed to see them out of purdah. In other societies, purdah is often only practised during certain times of religious significance.