The president of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani has apologised over remarks regarding the traditional headscarf, that sparked members of the community to claim they were sexist.
On the weekend, Mr Ghani responded to claims government officials were allegedly linked to IS.
He said if people can't provide proof they should wear a women's headscarf.
Fawzia Koofi, a member of Afghanistan parliament, was among voices of criticism claiming some still viewed wearing a headscarf was an "act of shame".
Following the backlash, Mr Ghani's office released a statement claiming the remarks had been misinterpreted and he was a strong advocate for women's rights.
"The President is a very prominent advocate of women’s rights and has taken unique steps to strengthen and preserve their position since his tenure as the President of Afghanistan," it read.
"Unfortunately, some people have misinterpreted the President’s remarks delivered on Saturday in a gathering at MOD; trying to sway public opinion, using the word “Chaadar” – Scarf in English – in the President’s yesterday [sic] speech," it added.
"It was a prevalent dialect and a common saying which is never aimed to offend the highly valuable place of women in the country. Yet, if that interpretation has hurt the feelings of women in our country, the President extends his apology."
Free Women Writers, a group of writers and students advocating social justice and equal rights, tweeted their support for Mr Ghani's apology saying it was a step in the right direction.
"A real leader owns up to his mistakes and doesn’t repeat them. This apology means there is still hope. Thanks for uplifting ’s voice," Free Women Writers' founder Noorjahan Akbar wrote.
