One of the most common questions while reporting on conflicts or a threat-posing circumstance&nbsp;consists of&nbsp;asking the interviewee, 'Can I name you in the story?' Over the past few weeks, as Afghanistan's Taliban government dismantled women's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-speak-to-wion-as-taliban-dismantles-their-right-to-education-campus-after-campus-545841">right to education</a> campus after campus, WION reached out to a number of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/exclusive-afghan-women-fear-for-life-as-taliban-ban-male-doctors-from-treating-them-551218">Afghan women</a> living under Taliban's anti-women tyranny.

Every interview began with one common question, 'Can I name you in the story?'

Almost all Afghan women insisted to be named despite WION offering them anonymity for their safety under Taliban's rule; a formidable sign of resistance against&nbsp; Afghanistan's repressive regime.

Dr Sona, a doctor from Kabul who was denied a job shortly before&nbsp;Taliban's ruling that women could no more be treated by male doctors, insisted to be named. So did&nbsp;Nargis, a school teacher from Jalalabad; and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-speak-to-wion-as-taliban-dismantles-their-right-to-education-campus-after-campus-545841">Sana Siddiqui</a>, a law student from Jalalabad— all voiced themselves out to WION with their real identities.

WATCH&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-new-diktat-for-afghan-women-552087">Gravitas: New diktat for Afghan women</a>

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About 3800 miles northwest of Kabul, in Austria's Vienna — the city that lends its name to the most important of all international relations documents in the form of 'Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations' — the sentiment of voicing out identifiable resistance against Taliban-led government found&nbsp;resonance among hundreds of Afghan demonstrators who were gathered near State Opera House on Saturday.&nbsp;

When the same question was posed to Stoorai Khan, 27, an Afghan national facing threat to his life back home, he immediately said with a remarkable gleam of defiance: "We cannot ask for change in hiding. Whatever we have to say against the Taliban, we must say it out in the open."&nbsp;

Khan was among scores of Afghan nationals demonstrating against Taliban's&nbsp;anti-women rulings in Vienna on Saturday.

Message for Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)&nbsp;delegation

On January 13,&nbsp;Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the 57-member states group of Islamic countries, said that Afghanistan's&nbsp;ban on women from pursuing education or working in the aid agencies is "in violation of the purposes of Islamic law and the methodology of the messenger of Allah".&nbsp; A day later, the OIC announced that it will soon send a delegation to Afghanistan to discuss women's rights to education and employment with the country's current rulers.&nbsp;

The protesters in Vienna expected the OIC to assuredly voice out that Afghan women should be able to resume the pursuit of their education.&nbsp;

"We expect the OIC to tell them (the Taliban) that the world is a global village. The rights to pursue education and work that empower women in any Islamic country should be given to Afghan women as well," Stoorai Khan told WION in a video call from the site of&nbsp;Vienna's anti-Taliban demonstration on January 14.&nbsp;

"There will be no one left in Afghanistan to run the system if this continues. You will just see the turban-clad, beard-stroking men," Khan added, while referring to the Taliban's way of repression of rights, which has pushed many youngsters in recent months to flee the country, often by desperate means.

'We will not leave Afghan women alone'

For Fauzia Ahmadzay, 27, like millions of Afghans away from Afghanistan at the current moment of repression, saying that ongoing events in Afghanistan&nbsp;are 'devastating' would be&nbsp;an understatement.&nbsp;

"It's heartbreaking to see the girls crying in front of schools and helplessly saying 'we want to have education, we want to have our right for education to build our lives'," Fauzia told WION from the protest site in a video call.&nbsp;

"Why is the world neglecting this?," she asked.

"Why is the world just standing by and looking at us and doing nothing?"

Fauzia mentioned that in Austria, many organisations are coming together to express solidarity with Afghan people. But this is not the case elsewhere, in the rest of the world.

“The western powers and America who started these conflicts in Afghanistan, they are not saying now that Afghan women are just like European women. That they also have their choices,” Fauzia said.

"It's heartbreaking that Afghans are always alone. Nobody is standing behind us to say that we are standing with you, and we can raise our voice together,” she added.&nbsp;

"But I want to tell Afghan women that they are not alone. Every revolution starts with raised&nbsp;voices and by being aware about what is happening around us. It will get better. We won't give up."

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One of the most common questions while reporting on conflicts or a threat-posing circumstance consists of asking the interviewee, 'Can I name you in the story?' Over the past few weeks, as Afghanistan's Taliban government dismantled women's right to education campus after campus, WION reached out to a number of Afghan women living under Taliban's anti-women tyranny.

One of the most common questions while reporting on conflicts or a threat-posing circumstance consists of asking the interviewee, 'Can I name you in the story?' Over the past few weeks, as Afghanistan's Taliban government dismantled women's right to education campus after campus, WION reached out to a number of Afghan women living under Taliban's anti-women tyranny. Every interview began with one common question, 'Can I name you in the story?' Almost all Afghan women insisted to be named despite WION offering them anonymity for their safety under Taliban's rule; a formidable sign of resistance against Afghanistan's repressive regime. Dr Sona, a doctor from Kabul who was denied a job shortly before Taliban's ruling that women could no more be treated by male doctors, insisted to be named. So did Nargis, a school teacher from Jalalabad; and Sana Siddiqui, a law student from Jalalabad— all voiced themselves out to WION with their real identities. WATCH | Gravitas: New diktat for Afghan women × About 3800 miles northwest of Kabul, in Austria's Vienna — the city that lends its name to the most important of all international relations documents in the form of 'Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations' — the sentiment of voicing out identifiable resistance against Taliban-led government found resonance among hundreds of Afghan demonstrators who were gathered near State Opera House on Saturday. When the same question was posed to Stoorai Khan, 27, an Afghan national facing threat to his life back home, he immediately said with a remarkable gleam of defiance: "We cannot ask for change in hiding. Whatever we have to say against the Taliban, we must say it out in the open." Khan was among scores of Afghan nationals demonstrating against Taliban's anti-women rulings in Vienna on Saturday. Message for Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) delegation On January 13, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the 57-member states group of Islamic countries, said that Afghanistan's ban on women from pursuing education or working in the aid agencies is "in violation of the purposes of Islamic law and the methodology of the messenger of Allah". A day later, the OIC announced that it will soon send a delegation to Afghanistan to discuss women's rights to education and employment with the country's current rulers. The protesters in Vienna expected the OIC to assuredly voice out that Afghan women should be able to resume the pursuit of their education. "We expect the OIC to tell them (the Taliban) that the world is a global village. The rights to pursue education and work that empower women in any Islamic country should be given to Afghan women as well," Stoorai Khan told WION in a video call from the site of Vienna's anti-Taliban demonstration on January 14. "There will be no one left in Afghanistan to run the system if this continues. You will just see the turban-clad, beard-stroking men," Khan added, while referring to the Taliban's way of repression of rights, which has pushed many youngsters in recent months to flee the country, often by desperate means. 'We will not leave Afghan women alone' For Fauzia Ahmadzay, 27, like millions of Afghans away from Afghanistan at the current moment of repression, saying that ongoing events in Afghanistan are 'devastating' would be an understatement. "It's heartbreaking to see the girls crying in front of schools and helplessly saying 'we want to have education, we want to have our right for education to build our lives'," Fauzia told WION from the protest site in a video call. "Why is the world neglecting this?," she asked. "Why is the world just standing by and looking at us and doing nothing?" Fauzia mentioned that in Austria, many organisations are coming together to express solidarity with Afghan people. But this is not the case elsewhere, in the rest of the world. “The western powers and America who started these conflicts in Afghanistan, they are not saying now that Afghan women are just like European women. That they also have their choices,” Fauzia said. "It's heartbreaking that Afghans are always alone. Nobody is standing behind us to say that we are standing with you, and we can raise our voice together,” she added. "But I want to tell Afghan women that they are not alone. Every revolution starts with raised voices and by being aware about what is happening around us. It will get better. We won't give up." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Exclusive: 'Why is the world neglecting Afghan women?'

In a nondescript Kabul locality, Dr Sona (last name withheld) is fighting depression. She is among millions of Afghan women who can no longer work in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. In December last year, Dr Sona had secured a job at a Kabul clinic.&nbsp;

"You cannot join because of the new rules," Dr Sona was told recently when she called the clinic for final confirmation of her employment status. This was right before the Taliban government's new ruling that directed hospitals to ensure that male doctors are no longer allowed to treat female patients.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-speak-to-wion-as-taliban-dismantles-their-right-to-education-campus-after-campus-545841">Afghan women speak to WION as Taliban dismantle their right to education, campus after campus</a>

"I desperately needed that job," Dr Sona told WION in a phone conversation.&nbsp;

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In a fresh diktat, the Taliban have told women in Afghanistan's Balkh province to only go to female doctors. 
 
But, where will Afghan women go if there are no female doctors left?<a href="https://twitter.com/nehakhanna_07?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nehakhanna_07</a> speaks with human rights lawyer Jas Uppal for more perspective <a href="https://t.co/MGdfcFhYKk">pic.twitter.com/MGdfcFhYKk</a>
— WION (@WIONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/WIONews/status/1612872430879657985?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Asked by WION what she expects from the rest of the world for the fate of women's rights in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, Dr Sona's voice turned&nbsp;heavy as she struggled&nbsp;to fight back her tears. The sea of emotions waved their way into the conversation. "I want to tell the world that please support us. We want to be out of this misery," Dr Sona said.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-uk-and-un-criticises-the-talibans-ban-on-afghan-women-from-universities-544975">US, UK and UN criticise the Taliban's ban on Afghan women from universities</a>

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Taliban's rulings targeting education and employment rights of women and young girls have resulted in widespread international outcry but no impact in reversing the extremist rulings. The UN Security Council expressed last week that it is "deeply alarmed" at erosion of women's rights in the country. It urged the Taliban "to reopen schools and swiftly reverse these policies and practices, which represents an increasing erosion for the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms."

The Group of Seven (G-7) countries, too, have called upon the Taliban to 'urgently reverse' ban on women aid workers.

But in Kabul's rearranged power corridors, women have been pushed to the margin, almost as a means of assertion of administrative authority of Afghanistan's new hardline rulers.

"God willing, I pray that things become as they were before them (Taliban). But I don't know if I should hope that much or not," Dr Sona said.&nbsp;

'I dream of going to University every night'

For Saba (name changed), 21, becoming a doctor was a dream that she lived each day when she went to a Kabul university to study medicine. "Ever since the university has closed, every night I dream of going to university," Saba told WION in a phone conversation from Kabul.&nbsp;

Born in Kandahar, the birthplace of the Taliban movement, Saba&nbsp;moved to Kabul with her family 12 years ago. "I had so many dreams, I wanted to appear for USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination). My family did not have the financial means to make me study abroad. But I knew that if I worked hard, I would be able to live my dreams," Saba said. &nbsp;

Last month, the Taliban operatives literally shut the door of the University on Saba's face.&nbsp;

Saba said that she made it a point to enter the university premises early in the morning. "I was the first one to enter the gates. I started studying whatever I could for the exam that was scheduled," she said.&nbsp;

A couple of hours later, amid huge commotion by Saba's fellow university mates also attempting to enter the university, she was the only student inside.&nbsp;

"They (Taliban operatives) were shocked when they realised I was inside. They didn't know I had come early on," Saba said.&nbsp;

"Get out. From today on, the university is closed for you forever," Saba was told by Taliban operatives as she was pushed out of the university gates.

"The Taliban surrounded our University to ensure that not one girl could enter. It was as if we were the terrorists and they were present there to apprehend us. The Talibs were all over the police jeeps," Saba said.&nbsp;

In the visuals seen by WION, men mounted on a police jeep surround the bus of the university in which Saba studied. The men could be seen holding barricades and weapons, exactly the way Saba explained.&nbsp;

"They took away everything from us. Our freedom, our happiness. It was just the education that we were left with. They took that away as well," Saba said.&nbsp;

In a critically-acclaimed biographical account of late Afghan politician and military commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, Scottish journalist Sandy Gall – in a chapter titled ‘Marriage and War’ – quotes a close aide of Massoud as saying: "When you respect people's dignity, they join your side."

Afghanistan’s female medical professionals and students expect that erosion of their dignity under Taliban will result in the downfall of the country's current rulers.&nbsp;

“If women are sick now, they can no longer visit the male doctors. Like that the women will die for the lack of medical supervision,” Saba said.&nbsp;

“Women can no longer be the sick ones;&nbsp;the patients in Afghanistan. Let alone doctors.”

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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In a nondescript Kabul locality, Dr Sona (last name withheld) is fighting depression. She is among millions of Afghan women who can no longer work in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan.

In a nondescript Kabul locality, Dr Sona (last name withheld) is fighting depression. She is among millions of Afghan women who can no longer work in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. In December last year, Dr Sona had secured a job at a Kabul clinic. "You cannot join because of the new rules," Dr Sona was told recently when she called the clinic for final confirmation of her employment status. This was right before the Taliban government's new ruling that directed hospitals to ensure that male doctors are no longer allowed to treat female patients. ALSO READ | Afghan women speak to WION as Taliban dismantle their right to education, campus after campus "I desperately needed that job," Dr Sona told WION in a phone conversation. In a fresh diktat, the Taliban have told women in Afghanistan's Balkh province to only go to female doctors. But, where will Afghan women go if there are no female doctors left?@nehakhanna_07 speaks with human rights lawyer Jas Uppal for more perspective pic.twitter.com/MGdfcFhYKk — WION (@WIONews) January 10, 2023 × Asked by WION what she expects from the rest of the world for the fate of women's rights in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, Dr Sona's voice turned heavy as she struggled to fight back her tears. The sea of emotions waved their way into the conversation. "I want to tell the world that please support us. We want to be out of this misery," Dr Sona said. ALSO WATCH | US, UK and UN criticise the Taliban's ban on Afghan women from universities × Taliban's rulings targeting education and employment rights of women and young girls have resulted in widespread international outcry but no impact in reversing the extremist rulings. The UN Security Council expressed last week that it is "deeply alarmed" at erosion of women's rights in the country. It urged the Taliban "to reopen schools and swiftly reverse these policies and practices, which represents an increasing erosion for the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms." The Group of Seven (G-7) countries, too, have called upon the Taliban to 'urgently reverse' ban on women aid workers. But in Kabul's rearranged power corridors, women have been pushed to the margin, almost as a means of assertion of administrative authority of Afghanistan's new hardline rulers. "God willing, I pray that things become as they were before them (Taliban). But I don't know if I should hope that much or not," Dr Sona said. 'I dream of going to University every night' For Saba (name changed), 21, becoming a doctor was a dream that she lived each day when she went to a Kabul university to study medicine. "Ever since the university has closed, every night I dream of going to university," Saba told WION in a phone conversation from Kabul. Born in Kandahar, the birthplace of the Taliban movement, Saba moved to Kabul with her family 12 years ago. "I had so many dreams, I wanted to appear for USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination). My family did not have the financial means to make me study abroad. But I knew that if I worked hard, I would be able to live my dreams," Saba said. Last month, the Taliban operatives literally shut the door of the University on Saba's face. Saba said that she made it a point to enter the university premises early in the morning. "I was the first one to enter the gates. I started studying whatever I could for the exam that was scheduled," she said. A couple of hours later, amid huge commotion by Saba's fellow university mates also attempting to enter the university, she was the only student inside. "They (Taliban operatives) were shocked when they realised I was inside. They didn't know I had come early on," Saba said. "Get out. From today on, the university is closed for you forever," Saba was told by Taliban operatives as she was pushed out of the university gates. "The Taliban surrounded our University to ensure that not one girl could enter. It was as if we were the terrorists and they were present there to apprehend us. The Talibs were all over the police jeeps," Saba said. In the visuals seen by WION, men mounted on a police jeep surround the bus of the university in which Saba studied. The men could be seen holding barricades and weapons, exactly the way Saba explained. "They took away everything from us. Our freedom, our happiness. It was just the education that we were left with. They took that away as well," Saba said. In a critically-acclaimed biographical account of late Afghan politician and military commander Ahmad Shah Massoud, Scottish journalist Sandy Gall – in a chapter titled ‘Marriage and War’ – quotes a close aide of Massoud as saying: "When you respect people's dignity, they join your side." Afghanistan’s female medical professionals and students expect that erosion of their dignity under Taliban will result in the downfall of the country's current rulers. “If women are sick now, they can no longer visit the male doctors. Like that the women will die for the lack of medical supervision,” Saba said. “Women can no longer be the sick ones; the patients in Afghanistan. Let alone doctors.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Exclusive | Afghan women fear for life as Taliban ban male doctors from treating them

More than a year since&nbsp;the Taliban takeover, things seem to be going backward in Afghanistan, despite the promise of change under 'Taliban 2.0'.&nbsp;The living and economic conditions in the South Asian country seem to be deteriorating every day. The life of girls and women has taken a downturn that began with imposing restrictions in the name of "following Islamic principles." Firstly, the Taliban suspended girls from going to schools and colleges, not to go out without a male companion, banned them from working in NGOs, and&nbsp;the list goes on. The Taliban recently banned women from working in malls, or going to a male doctor for treatment of any illness, and ordered closure of all beauty salons in the coming 10 days, reported APA.&nbsp;

With the list of curbs on girls and women growing longer, the United States claimed that the Taliban seem&nbsp;to be "unable or unwilling’ to fulfill the commitments.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-unable-or-unwilling-to-fulfil-commitments-pakistan-has-right-to-defend-itself-us-549258">Also read |&nbsp;Taliban 'unable or unwilling’ to fulfil commitments, Pakistan has the right to defend itself: US</a>

According to Afghan media, the Taliban in Baghlan have&nbsp;ordered the landowners and dealers to not rent out space to any&nbsp;female beauty salon owners in addition to closing down their businesses.

Beauty salons in Kunduz, Takhar, and Badakhshan provinces had already been shut down by the Taliban.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/exclusive-afghan-women-fear-for-life-as-taliban-ban-male-doctors-from-treating-them-551218">Also read |&nbsp;Exclusive | Afghan women fear for life as Taliban ban male doctors from treating them</a>

Shabnam Nasimi, a former policy adviser to Minister for Afghan Resettlement &amp; Minister for Refugees on Tuesday denounced the recent orders imposed on Afghan women in a tweet sayign, "Taliban have reportedly ordered all female beauty salons in a number of provinces across Afghanistan to CLOSE their business. They have also sent letters to landlords &amp; told them not to rent to women." She added, "Yet the shameful silence on the Taliban’s war on women continues."

The women were also barred from engaging in any athletic activities. This happened when the Taliban visited several girls who played sports and urged them to not play.&nbsp;

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Afghan women athletes barred from play, fear Taliban threats. <a href="https://t.co/vLedJ0ZMX6">pic.twitter.com/vLedJ0ZMX6</a>
— Imtiaz Mahmood (@ImtiazMadmood) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImtiazMadmood/status/1613175882159476736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
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As per media reports, many Taliban-controlled provinces have now also banned women from visiting male doctors.&nbsp;

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CATCH22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CATCH22</a> fast leading to a human catastrophy -<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Afghanistan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Afghanistan</a>, under sharia law, bans women from visiting male doctors. 
 
They have also banned women from schools denying them right to education👉There will be no female doctors 
 
A slow agonising death for 50% of afghan citizens <a href="https://t.co/vbS7d2ZXZL">pic.twitter.com/vbS7d2ZXZL</a>
— Vin S ವಿನೀತ್ (@vinith_24) <a href="https://twitter.com/vinith_24/status/1613031050774736896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 11, 2023</a></blockquote>
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(With inputs from agencies)

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More than a year since the Taliban takeover, things seem to be going backward in Afghanistan, despite the promise of change under 'Taliban 2.0'. The living and economic conditions in the South Asian country seem to be deteriorating every day.

More than a year since the Taliban takeover, things seem to be going backward in Afghanistan, despite the promise of change under 'Taliban 2.0'. The living and economic conditions in the South Asian country seem to be deteriorating every day. The life of girls and women has taken a downturn that began with imposing restrictions in the name of "following Islamic principles." Firstly, the Taliban suspended girls from going to schools and colleges, not to go out without a male companion, banned them from working in NGOs, and the list goes on. The Taliban recently banned women from working in malls, or going to a male doctor for treatment of any illness, and ordered closure of all beauty salons in the coming 10 days, reported APA. With the list of curbs on girls and women growing longer, the United States claimed that the Taliban seem to be "unable or unwilling’ to fulfill the commitments. Also read | Taliban 'unable or unwilling’ to fulfil commitments, Pakistan has the right to defend itself: US According to Afghan media, the Taliban in Baghlan have ordered the landowners and dealers to not rent out space to any female beauty salon owners in addition to closing down their businesses. Beauty salons in Kunduz, Takhar, and Badakhshan provinces had already been shut down by the Taliban. Also read | Exclusive | Afghan women fear for life as Taliban ban male doctors from treating them Shabnam Nasimi, a former policy adviser to Minister for Afghan Resettlement & Minister for Refugees on Tuesday denounced the recent orders imposed on Afghan women in a tweet sayign, "Taliban have reportedly ordered all female beauty salons in a number of provinces across Afghanistan to CLOSE their business. They have also sent letters to landlords & told them not to rent to women." She added, "Yet the shameful silence on the Taliban’s war on women continues." The women were also barred from engaging in any athletic activities. This happened when the Taliban visited several girls who played sports and urged them to not play. Afghan women athletes barred from play, fear Taliban threats. pic.twitter.com/vLedJ0ZMX6 — Imtiaz Mahmood (@ImtiazMadmood) January 11, 2023 × As per media reports, many Taliban-controlled provinces have now also banned women from visiting male doctors. #CATCH22 fast leading to a human catastrophy -#Afghanistan, under sharia law, bans women from visiting male doctors. They have also banned women from schools denying them right to education👉There will be no female doctors A slow agonising death for 50% of afghan citizens pic.twitter.com/vbS7d2ZXZL — Vin S ವಿನೀತ್ (@vinith_24) January 11, 2023 × (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Taliban 2.0: Afghan women banned from visiting male doctors, beauty salons to close in 10 days 

A professor of Kabul University tore up his diplomas on live television, saying that if his mother and sister cannot study, he cannot accept the education either. The professor said that he did not need the diplomas since Afghanistan was "no place for an education".&nbsp;

The visual&nbsp;of the professor tearing up his diplomas one by one on television has gone viral on social media. People from around the world are expressing empathy with the professor while urging the United Nations and multilateral forums to press hardliners in Kabul to reverse the decision to ban women from educational institutes.

Former policy advisor to the UK minister for Afghan resettlement and minister for refugees Shabnam Nasimi shared the video on Twitter and wrote: "Astonishing scenes as a Kabul university professor destroys his diplomas on live TV in Afghanistan."

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-speak-to-wion-as-taliban-dismantles-their-right-to-education-campus-after-campus-545841">Afghan women speak to WION as Taliban dismantle their right to education, campus after campus</a>

The Taliban government in Kabul last week banned women from universities across Afghanistan, a move that was criticised worldwide. "You all are informed to immediately implement the mentioned order of suspending the education of females until further notice,"&nbsp;minister for higher education Neda Mohammad Nadeem said in a letter to all government and private universities in Afghanistan.

WION <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-speak-to-wion-as-taliban-dismantles-their-right-to-education-campus-after-campus-545841">spoke</a> to Afghan women as the Taliban took away their right to education campus after campus. From Jalalabad to Kabul, Afghan women shared what they said was the 'worst moment' of their lives. "There was never a time as helpless as this," a teacher from Jalalabad told WION.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/unsc-denounces-restrictions-on-afghan-women-un-calls-for-equal-participation-of-women-547213">UNSC denounces restrictions on Afghan women; UN calls for equal participation of women</a>

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The UN deputy humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan Fran Equiza, in a meeting with the acting minister of public health Qalandar Ibad, also called for "the Taliban ban on women working for NGOs and international NGOs to be lifted in its entirety."

She added that the "ban will impact millions of the most vulnerable Afghans."

The US secretary of state Antony Blinken in a tweet said that "this decision could be devastating for the Afghan people, women are central to humanitarian operations around the world."

US special representative for Afghanistan Thomas West said: "The Taliban’s decree barring women from working to deliver humanitarian aid is profoundly irresponsible. It poses mortal risks to millions who depend on life-saving assistance."

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A professor of Kabul University tore up his diplomas on live television, saying that if his mother and sister cannot study, he cannot accept the education either.

A professor of Kabul University tore up his diplomas on live television, saying that if his mother and sister cannot study, he cannot accept the education either. The professor said that he did not need the diplomas since Afghanistan was "no place for an education". The visual of the professor tearing up his diplomas one by one on television has gone viral on social media. People from around the world are expressing empathy with the professor while urging the United Nations and multilateral forums to press hardliners in Kabul to reverse the decision to ban women from educational institutes. Former policy advisor to the UK minister for Afghan resettlement and minister for refugees Shabnam Nasimi shared the video on Twitter and wrote: "Astonishing scenes as a Kabul university professor destroys his diplomas on live TV in Afghanistan." ALSO READ | Afghan women speak to WION as Taliban dismantle their right to education, campus after campus The Taliban government in Kabul last week banned women from universities across Afghanistan, a move that was criticised worldwide. "You all are informed to immediately implement the mentioned order of suspending the education of females until further notice," minister for higher education Neda Mohammad Nadeem said in a letter to all government and private universities in Afghanistan. WION spoke to Afghan women as the Taliban took away their right to education campus after campus. From Jalalabad to Kabul, Afghan women shared what they said was the 'worst moment' of their lives. "There was never a time as helpless as this," a teacher from Jalalabad told WION. WATCH | UNSC denounces restrictions on Afghan women; UN calls for equal participation of women × The UN deputy humanitarian coordinator in Afghanistan Fran Equiza, in a meeting with the acting minister of public health Qalandar Ibad, also called for "the Taliban ban on women working for NGOs and international NGOs to be lifted in its entirety." She added that the "ban will impact millions of the most vulnerable Afghans." The US secretary of state Antony Blinken in a tweet said that "this decision could be devastating for the Afghan people, women are central to humanitarian operations around the world." US special representative for Afghanistan Thomas West said: "The Taliban’s decree barring women from working to deliver humanitarian aid is profoundly irresponsible. It poses mortal risks to millions who depend on life-saving assistance." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'If my mother and sisters can't study': Afghan professor tears down diplomas on live TV

The United Nations on Wednesday said that some "time critical" programmes in Afghanistan will have to be temporarily stopped due to the Taliban's ban on women working in NGOs. The global agency warned that many other activities are also likely to be impacted due to the ban.

UN suspends some Afghanistan programs after ban on female aid workers

Days after Taliban banned women from attending college and working in NGO's. In Afghanistan, the United Nations security Council said that it is deeply alarmed with the situation in the country. The security council called on the Taliban to reverse the bans that erode the fundamental freedoms of women.

UNSC to Taliban: Reverse curbs on women

About 95 miles east of Kabul, at a university in Jalalabad, a senior University official with a reputation of always speaking up without a piece of paper came with "his notes" on December 21. Over 100 female students sat in the university auditorium awaiting the words that were to be uttered. The university official first recited a verse from The Quran, which says that the first word Allah revealed to Prophet Mohammed was 'Iqra', literally meaning 'read'.

The downcast announcement followed. That the girls are no more to be educated.

“We are in touch with high-ranking profiles in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. We will do our best to ensure your final exams are conducted. But until further orders, we have been told that you cannot attend university,” the official announced.

Among the attendants was Sana Siddiqui (21). In the eighth semester of her Law and Political Science undergraduate course.

Until December 21, Sana was just three exams short of earning herself a coveted university degree. 
 
Not anymore.

Despite having known from the news hours ago about the Taliban government's ban on women's university education, Sana and her batchmates from the eighth semester had a glimmer of hope.

"We thought that at least we will be allowed to appear in our remaining final exams," Sana told WION in a phone conversation from Jalalabad.

The announcement from the top university official shattered what was left of Sana and her batchmates' collective hopes.

"One of the girls lost consciousness. Everybody else began to cry. It was a wave of emotions in the auditorium knowing that this was the last chance we were seeing our university and classmates," Sana told WION.

"But we knew this was coming. When the school education was taken away from young Afghan girls, we knew we were next," Sana added, referring to the ban on secondary education for girls in Afghanistan that the Taliban imposed in September 2021, a month after taking over Kabul's power corridors.

Sana's story resonated with Nargis (34), a former teacher who taught History and Geography to female students in grades 7 and 8 in a Jalalabad school until September last year.&nbsp;<img alt="File image of Afghan girls studying a middle school | AFP" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="3fd22b8b-7182-4145-a161-88bc3fdbf0f2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Afghan%20girls.jpg" />

Nargis told WION it was the "worst day of my life" when three Taliban officials paid a visit to the school where she taught.

The hardliners ordered teachers to inform students inside classrooms to not attend school "until further orders".

"One of my Class 7 girls raised her hand and asked, 'Ma'am, is it closed for boys as well'?," Nargis told WION in Persian.

"She looked at me and I had no answer. She realised that it was closed just for the girls. She was inconsolably crying," added Nargis.<img alt="File image of Afghan women protesting in front of the Ministry of Education in Kabul" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0ebd5a26-8059-4725-8398-ca71e0ca682e" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Afghan_girls.jpg" />

Despite WION offering Sana and Nargis anonymity, they insisted to be named, perhaps as a show of protest and defiance against the repressive regime.

"We can only request the international community and our higher education minister to allow our girls to be back in the schools and colleges. There was never a time as helpless as this," Nargis said.

Questions on Taliban's double standards on education

Zareena, 24, (name withheld to protect identity) graduated to become a lawyer in 2020 from a state university.

"When Taliban came to power, they removed virtually everything that was to do with law," Zareena told WION from a Kabul suburb, pointing out to Taliban's deliberate dismantling of the law and advocacy sector that existed in Afghanistan prior to August 2021.

Zareena said she enrolled herself in a diploma course at Kabul Center Institute months before the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan.

On December 21, when the ban on women's higher education was announced, Zareena was due to appear in an exam at Silo Road in Kabul.

"I cannot pursue my goals and ambitions because of the Taliban," Zareena said, adding that she once dreamt of studying outside Afghanistan. “I wanted to come back and serve my country with my knowledge of law,” she said.

In Afghanistan, the December-January period is usually known as the 'winter of exams' among students.

"For girls, winter is all that is left in this period," Zareena said. &nbsp;

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About 95 miles east of Kabul, at a university in Jalalabad, a senior University official with a reputation of always speaking up without a piece of paper came with "his notes" on December 21.

About 95 miles east of Kabul, at a university in Jalalabad, a senior University official with a reputation of always speaking up without a piece of paper came with "his notes" on December 21. Over 100 female students sat in the university auditorium awaiting the words that were to be uttered. The university official first recited a verse from The Quran, which says that the first word Allah revealed to Prophet Mohammed was 'Iqra', literally meaning 'read'. The downcast announcement followed. That the girls are no more to be educated. “We are in touch with high-ranking profiles in the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. We will do our best to ensure your final exams are conducted. But until further orders, we have been told that you cannot attend university,” the official announced. Among the attendants was Sana Siddiqui (21). In the eighth semester of her Law and Political Science undergraduate course. Until December 21, Sana was just three exams short of earning herself a coveted university degree. Not anymore. Despite having known from the news hours ago about the Taliban government's ban on women's university education, Sana and her batchmates from the eighth semester had a glimmer of hope. "We thought that at least we will be allowed to appear in our remaining final exams," Sana told WION in a phone conversation from Jalalabad. The announcement from the top university official shattered what was left of Sana and her batchmates' collective hopes. "One of the girls lost consciousness. Everybody else began to cry. It was a wave of emotions in the auditorium knowing that this was the last chance we were seeing our university and classmates," Sana told WION. "But we knew this was coming. When the school education was taken away from young Afghan girls, we knew we were next," Sana added, referring to the ban on secondary education for girls in Afghanistan that the Taliban imposed in September 2021, a month after taking over Kabul's power corridors. Sana's story resonated with Nargis (34), a former teacher who taught History and Geography to female students in grades 7 and 8 in a Jalalabad school until September last year. Nargis told WION it was the "worst day of my life" when three Taliban officials paid a visit to the school where she taught. The hardliners ordered teachers to inform students inside classrooms to not attend school "until further orders". "One of my Class 7 girls raised her hand and asked, 'Ma'am, is it closed for boys as well'?," Nargis told WION in Persian. "She looked at me and I had no answer. She realised that it was closed just for the girls. She was inconsolably crying," added Nargis. Despite WION offering Sana and Nargis anonymity, they insisted to be named, perhaps as a show of protest and defiance against the repressive regime. "We can only request the international community and our higher education minister to allow our girls to be back in the schools and colleges. There was never a time as helpless as this," Nargis said. Questions on Taliban's double standards on education Zareena, 24, (name withheld to protect identity) graduated to become a lawyer in 2020 from a state university. "When Taliban came to power, they removed virtually everything that was to do with law," Zareena told WION from a Kabul suburb, pointing out to Taliban's deliberate dismantling of the law and advocacy sector that existed in Afghanistan prior to August 2021. Zareena said she enrolled herself in a diploma course at Kabul Center Institute months before the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan. On December 21, when the ban on women's higher education was announced, Zareena was due to appear in an exam at Silo Road in Kabul. "I cannot pursue my goals and ambitions because of the Taliban," Zareena said, adding that she once dreamt of studying outside Afghanistan. “I wanted to come back and serve my country with my knowledge of law,” she said. In Afghanistan, the December-January period is usually known as the 'winter of exams' among students. "For girls, winter is all that is left in this period," Zareena said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Afghan women speak to WION as Taliban dismantle their right to education, campus after campus

Gunmen opened fire on Monday (December 12) near a guest house popular with Chinese business visitors in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul, an eye witness told the news agency AFP and also stated that a loud explosion was heard.

WION Dispatch: Armed men open fire in Kabul building housing Chinese nationals

Malala Yousafzai, a Nobel Laureate, has raised concern for Afghan women and girls after the Taliban issued an edict requiring women to wear the hijab. She has also called for UK leaders to help oppressed Afghan women.

Malala calls for UK leaders to help oppressed Afghan women

After Amsterdam, Athens, and the UK, the unrest in Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini, women in Afghanistan protested in front of the Iranian Embassy to show their support for the women in Tehran.

The Islamic Emirate's deputy spokesperson stated that the ruling government is committed to ensuring women's rights, based on Islamic values, TOLO news reported.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-stepped-up-pressure-on-celebrities-and-journalists-over-mahsa-amini-protests-520975">Also read |&nbsp;Iran stepped up pressure on celebrities and journalists over Mahsa Amini protests</a>

The protesters yelled, "women, life, and freedom." Women said that they are raising voices like Mahsa. There have been similar victims in Afghanistan.

In Iran, several women took the stage to protest the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, who died in police custody after being arrested for allegedly wearing an "improper hijab" in violation of the country's dress codes for women.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Mahsa Amini death | London: Protesters chant against Iran, wave pre-1979 national flag

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The suspicious death sparked outrage among hundreds of people worldwide. Women were seen cutting their hair short and burning their hijabs in an effort to draw attention to Amini's death.

Amini's death comes amid escalating criticism both inside Iran and outside over the actions of the morality police. Her death represents the terrible tyranny that women have endured in Iran for decades.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/irans-raisi-condemns-chaos-of-protests-after-mahsa-aminis-death-520713">Also read |&nbsp;Iran's Raisi condemns 'chaos' of protests after Mahsa Amini's death</a>

The mandatory dress code mandates that women cover their heads and necks with headscarves and that it applies to all countries and religions and just not Iranian women, Al Jazeera reported.&nbsp;

A similar situation is in Afghanistan, a country where women are also struggling with rights. It is regarded as the unhappiest nation in the world. Ever since the Taliban's takeover, the country has been combating gender-based violence, including no license for women, no education after sixth grade, and so on.

(With inputs from agencies)

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After Amsterdam, Athens, and the UK, the unrest in Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini, women in Afghanistan protested in front of the Iranian Embassy to show their support for the women in Tehran.

After Amsterdam, Athens, and the UK, the unrest in Iran over the death of Mahsa Amini, women in Afghanistan protested in front of the Iranian Embassy to show their support for the women in Tehran. The Islamic Emirate's deputy spokesperson stated that the ruling government is committed to ensuring women's rights, based on Islamic values, TOLO news reported. Also read | Iran stepped up pressure on celebrities and journalists over Mahsa Amini protests The protesters yelled, "women, life, and freedom." Women said that they are raising voices like Mahsa. There have been similar victims in Afghanistan. In Iran, several women took the stage to protest the death of Mahsa Amini, 22, who died in police custody after being arrested for allegedly wearing an "improper hijab" in violation of the country's dress codes for women. Watch | Mahsa Amini death | London: Protesters chant against Iran, wave pre-1979 national flag The suspicious death sparked outrage among hundreds of people worldwide. Women were seen cutting their hair short and burning their hijabs in an effort to draw attention to Amini's death. Amini's death comes amid escalating criticism both inside Iran and outside over the actions of the morality police. Her death represents the terrible tyranny that women have endured in Iran for decades. Also read | Iran's Raisi condemns 'chaos' of protests after Mahsa Amini's death The mandatory dress code mandates that women cover their heads and necks with headscarves and that it applies to all countries and religions and just not Iranian women, Al Jazeera reported. A similar situation is in Afghanistan, a country where women are also struggling with rights. It is regarded as the unhappiest nation in the world. Ever since the Taliban's takeover, the country has been combating gender-based violence, including no license for women, no education after sixth grade, and so on. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

After UK and Amsterdam, women in Afghanistan protest over Mahsa Amini's death 

At a press conference, Abdul Karim Haider, the deputy minister of justice, said that Afghanistan does not need a constitution and can address problems by just applying Islamic laws.

Haider said that the Hanafi law serves as the framework for resolving all problems. "The holy Quran, the Sunnah of Mohammad (PBUH), and the jurisprudence of every Islamic country are the basis and the text of the constitution in general and in detail," he was quoted as saying by TOLOnews.

However, he said that they are ready to prepare the constitution in accordance with laws once they get directions.&nbsp;

Haider stated, "We are awaiting Amirul Muminin's direction (for creation of law). The Hanafi law system, the Quran, and the Sunnah of Mohammad (PBUH) are its sources. Thus we are confident that a comprehensive law will be established quickly to address everyone's concerns."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-blast-rocks-mosque-in-herat-casualties-feared-512327">Also read |&nbsp;Afghanistan: Top pro-Taliban cleric among 18 killed; several wounded in blast at Herat mosque</a>

Regarding the activities of political parties, Haider said that under the given circumstances, there is no need for parties to be active.

In contrast to this statement, a professor in conversation with TOLO News said," A constitution for any government in the modern era is a crucial and a basic requirement." The lecturer further added&nbsp;that if Islamic laws are used to solve problems, then women should have access to their rights in reference to the work being done by women and should grant them favourable conditions to work.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghanistan-woman-divorced-by-taliban-official-due-to-her-declining-faith-but-she-alleges-domestic-abuse-511853">Also read |&nbsp;Afghanistan: Woman divorced by Taliban official due to her declining faith but she alleges domestic abuse</a>

It has been more than a year since the Taliban seized power in the South Asian country and implemented significant legal changes.

This includes violations of human rights, especially for women. As per a report released by UNAMA, since the group takeover, women’s rights in the country have deteriorated.

Prior to the takeover, women, and girls enjoyed the freedom to engage in all elements of public and daily life, including schooling and other activities.

(With inputs from agencies)

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At a press conference, Abdul Karim Haider, the deputy minister of justice, said that Afghanistan does not need a constitution and can address problems by just applying Islamic laws.

At a press conference, Abdul Karim Haider, the deputy minister of justice, said that Afghanistan does not need a constitution and can address problems by just applying Islamic laws. Haider said that the Hanafi law serves as the framework for resolving all problems. "The holy Quran, the Sunnah of Mohammad (PBUH), and the jurisprudence of every Islamic country are the basis and the text of the constitution in general and in detail," he was quoted as saying by TOLOnews. However, he said that they are ready to prepare the constitution in accordance with laws once they get directions. Haider stated, "We are awaiting Amirul Muminin's direction (for creation of law). The Hanafi law system, the Quran, and the Sunnah of Mohammad (PBUH) are its sources. Thus we are confident that a comprehensive law will be established quickly to address everyone's concerns." Also read | Afghanistan: Top pro-Taliban cleric among 18 killed; several wounded in blast at Herat mosque Regarding the activities of political parties, Haider said that under the given circumstances, there is no need for parties to be active. In contrast to this statement, a professor in conversation with TOLO News said," A constitution for any government in the modern era is a crucial and a basic requirement." The lecturer further added that if Islamic laws are used to solve problems, then women should have access to their rights in reference to the work being done by women and should grant them favourable conditions to work. Also read | Afghanistan: Woman divorced by Taliban official due to her declining faith but she alleges domestic abuse It has been more than a year since the Taliban seized power in the South Asian country and implemented significant legal changes. This includes violations of human rights, especially for women. As per a report released by UNAMA, since the group takeover, women’s rights in the country have deteriorated. Prior to the takeover, women, and girls enjoyed the freedom to engage in all elements of public and daily life, including schooling and other activities. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Afghanistan doesn’t need a constitution, can address problems by applying Islamic Laws, says official

After the assassination of al-Qaeda chief Ayman-al Zawahiri in Kabul, the Biden administration chose not to release any of the $7 billion of foreign assets held by Afghanistan’s central bank on US soil and has halted negotiations with the Taliban on the funds. But at the same time, in order to strengthen international assistance, USAID, the global humanitarian assistance arm of the US, has announced three aid packages worth $150 million for Afghanistan.

This week marks the one-year somber anniversary of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. Following the militant group’s announcement of banning girls from attending schools after sixth grade, this investment is the most recent one to upgrade different sectors in the country. The USAID will give $30 million to the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, for the betterment of Afghan women. An amount of $40 million will go to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the remaining $80 million to Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/afghanistan-in-order-to-address-near-universal-poverty-ngos-demand-assets-to-be-unfrozen-507113">Afghanistan: In order to address 'near-universal poverty' NGOs demand assets to be unfrozen</a>

Biden administration officials cited that Zawahiri’s living safely in Afghanistan, until the drone strike killed him, played a significant role in the decision to freeze funds. This decision also dashes expectations for an economic resurgence in the country. 
 
In conversation with WSJ, US Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West said that the Taliban’s hiding the al-Qaeda chief underlines deep concerns the country has regarding the flow of funds to the terrorist group. When further asked about whether the group can obtain aid for people, the representative responded that the authorities don’t see the group as being responsible enough for managing the assets.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/secret-schools-afghan-girls-defy-taliban-take-huge-risks-to-keep-studying-506597">Secret schools: Afghan girls defy Taliban, take huge risks to continue studies</a>

In the past, US President Joe Biden stated that he intends to give the families of 9/11 victims half of the $7 billion fund and the remaining to a trust fund for humanitarian relief to the Afghan people. However, considering that it would ultimately be the Taliban delivering the aid, this option seems out of the relevance line. However, critics have criticised Biden’s decision stating it was an unfair collective punishment for the Afghans. 
 
However, it seems as&nbsp;if the US is now trying to normalise relations with the Taliban. The latest engagements made by the US in form of aid are being looked at as an engagement and reach out to the Taliban to bring the relation&nbsp;back on track.

But now one question arises can the Biden administration after the Zawahiri’s killing go further? The US would want further information on this. On the other hand, the Taliban apparently be seeking recognition and a bailout from its financial crisis.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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After the assassination of al-Qaeda chief Ayman-al Zawahiri in Kabul, the Biden administration chose not to release any of the $7 billion of foreign assets held by Afghanistan’s central bank on US soil and has halted negotiations with the Taliban on the funds.

After the assassination of al-Qaeda chief Ayman-al Zawahiri in Kabul, the Biden administration chose not to release any of the $7 billion of foreign assets held by Afghanistan’s central bank on US soil and has halted negotiations with the Taliban on the funds. But at the same time, in order to strengthen international assistance, USAID, the global humanitarian assistance arm of the US, has announced three aid packages worth $150 million for Afghanistan. This week marks the one-year somber anniversary of the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan. Following the militant group’s announcement of banning girls from attending schools after sixth grade, this investment is the most recent one to upgrade different sectors in the country. The USAID will give $30 million to the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, for the betterment of Afghan women. An amount of $40 million will go to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the remaining $80 million to Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Also read | Afghanistan: In order to address 'near-universal poverty' NGOs demand assets to be unfrozen Biden administration officials cited that Zawahiri’s living safely in Afghanistan, until the drone strike killed him, played a significant role in the decision to freeze funds. This decision also dashes expectations for an economic resurgence in the country. In conversation with WSJ, US Representative for Afghanistan Thomas West said that the Taliban’s hiding the al-Qaeda chief underlines deep concerns the country has regarding the flow of funds to the terrorist group. When further asked about whether the group can obtain aid for people, the representative responded that the authorities don’t see the group as being responsible enough for managing the assets. Also read | Secret schools: Afghan girls defy Taliban, take huge risks to continue studies In the past, US President Joe Biden stated that he intends to give the families of 9/11 victims half of the $7 billion fund and the remaining to a trust fund for humanitarian relief to the Afghan people. However, considering that it would ultimately be the Taliban delivering the aid, this option seems out of the relevance line. However, critics have criticised Biden’s decision stating it was an unfair collective punishment for the Afghans. However, it seems as if the US is now trying to normalise relations with the Taliban. The latest engagements made by the US in form of aid are being looked at as an engagement and reach out to the Taliban to bring the relation back on track. But now one question arises can the Biden administration after the Zawahiri’s killing go further? The US would want further information on this. On the other hand, the Taliban apparently be seeking recognition and a bailout from its financial crisis. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US refuses to release $7bn frozen funds to Afghanistan, but commits to $150mn aid packages

What are the key events that have taken place in Afghanistan since Taliban takeover?

The Taliban are systematically erasing women from public life. Afghan girls are barred from attending schools and women are denied government jobs. Mariam Wardak tells you how the Taliban wiped out 20 years of women's rights in one year.

South Asia Diary: Taliban erase Afghan women from public life

Days before the first anniversary of the hardline Islamists' return to power, Taliban fighters forcefully dispersed a rare gathering in the Afghan capital on Saturday by beating protesting women and firing into the air.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/zawahiris-body-not-found-says-taliban-506489">Taliban</a>&nbsp;have reversed the slight advancements gained by women throughout the two decades of US operations in Afghanistan since taking power on August 15 last year.

An AFP correspondent said that some 40 women marched in front of the education ministry building in Kabul while chanting "food, work, and freedom," but the fighters dispersed them by firing into the air.

Taliban fighters followed and clubbed some female demonstrators with their rifle butts after they sought safety in adjacent stores.

The demonstrators carried a banner which read "August 15 is a black day" as they demanded rights to work and political participation.&nbsp;"Justice, justice. We're fed up with ignorance," they chanted, many not wearing face veils.

"Unfortunately, the Taliban from the intelligence service came and fired in the air," said Zholia Parsi, one of the organisers of the march.&nbsp;"They dispersed the girls, tore our banners and confiscated the mobile phones of many girls."

An AFP correspondent witnessed the women&nbsp;being physically assaulted by Taliban fighters.

'Making women invisible'&nbsp;

After taking control last year, the Taliban had promised a gentler version of the strict Islamist rule that characterised their first term in power from 1996 to 2001.

But in order to conform to the movement's severe interpretation of Islam, numerous limitations have already been put in place, particularly for women.

Many government occupations are no longer open to women, and tens of thousands of girls have been excluded from secondary education. Additionally, women are now only permitted to visit the public gardens and parks in the capital on days when men are not present. Long distance solo travel is also no longer permitted.

Hibatullah Akhundzada, the head of the Taliban and the country's ultimate authority, commanded women to completely cover themselves in public, including their faces, preferably with an all-encompassing burqa.

The Taliban regime has received harsh criticism from the UN and human rights organisations for its treatment of women.

Richard Bennett, the UN's special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, told reporters in Kabul during a visit in May that these measures display a "pattern of absolute gender segregation and are intended to make women invisible in the community."

At first, a few Afghan ladies protested modestly by pushing back against the limits. However, the Taliban quickly apprehended the ringleaders and imprisoned them without charge while maintaining their innocence.

(With inputs from agencies)

Watch |&nbsp;UN: Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis is the world's worst

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Days before the first anniversary of the hardline Islamists' return to power, Taliban fighters forcefully dispersed a rare gathering in the Afghan capital on Saturday by beating protesting women and firing into the air.

Days before the first anniversary of the hardline Islamists' return to power, Taliban fighters forcefully dispersed a rare gathering in the Afghan capital on Saturday by beating protesting women and firing into the air. The Taliban have reversed the slight advancements gained by women throughout the two decades of US operations in Afghanistan since taking power on August 15 last year. An AFP correspondent said that some 40 women marched in front of the education ministry building in Kabul while chanting "food, work, and freedom," but the fighters dispersed them by firing into the air. Taliban fighters followed and clubbed some female demonstrators with their rifle butts after they sought safety in adjacent stores. The demonstrators carried a banner which read "August 15 is a black day" as they demanded rights to work and political participation. "Justice, justice. We're fed up with ignorance," they chanted, many not wearing face veils. "Unfortunately, the Taliban from the intelligence service came and fired in the air," said Zholia Parsi, one of the organisers of the march. "They dispersed the girls, tore our banners and confiscated the mobile phones of many girls." An AFP correspondent witnessed the women being physically assaulted by Taliban fighters. 'Making women invisible' After taking control last year, the Taliban had promised a gentler version of the strict Islamist rule that characterised their first term in power from 1996 to 2001. But in order to conform to the movement's severe interpretation of Islam, numerous limitations have already been put in place, particularly for women. Many government occupations are no longer open to women, and tens of thousands of girls have been excluded from secondary education. Additionally, women are now only permitted to visit the public gardens and parks in the capital on days when men are not present. Long distance solo travel is also no longer permitted. Hibatullah Akhundzada, the head of the Taliban and the country's ultimate authority, commanded women to completely cover themselves in public, including their faces, preferably with an all-encompassing burqa. The Taliban regime has received harsh criticism from the UN and human rights organisations for its treatment of women. Richard Bennett, the UN's special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, told reporters in Kabul during a visit in May that these measures display a "pattern of absolute gender segregation and are intended to make women invisible in the community." At first, a few Afghan ladies protested modestly by pushing back against the limits. However, the Taliban quickly apprehended the ringleaders and imprisoned them without charge while maintaining their innocence. (With inputs from agencies) Watch | UN: Afghanistan's humanitarian crisis is the world's worst

Taliban fighters fire in air, assault women to halt their protest in Kabul

After the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, it’s been more than 300 days since the time schools for girls were shut. However, on Saturday (June 23), a foreign ministry spokesman, Qahar Balkhi during an interview with CGTN said, “this suspension is a temporary suspension, and it is not a permanent ban, it has never been called a ban.” As per Tolo News, in defense of the Taliban, the speaker claimed that the closure of schools for girls was due to the conservative attitudes of the majority of Afghans towards women and education. The leader further continued that they are working to find a mutual solution, ANI reported.<o:p></o:p>

As per Balki, the main reason behind the decision was extremely rigid views on women and their capabilities that the majority of the society holds and that the government is attempting to adopt a gradual approach.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-issue-new-diktat-vow-to-punish-those-who-criticise-islamic-emirate-499988">Taliban issue&nbsp;new diktat, vow&nbsp;to punish those who criticise ‘Islamic Emirate’</a>

<o:p></o:p>

Fariah, a student questioned, “When women are not allowed to see a namhram, then who should treat a woman when she gets sick?”<o:p></o:p>

Another student said, “It is very disappointing and we ask the Islamic Emirate to reopen our schools," said a student.”

<o:p>Watch | Taliban releases Australian Journalist O'Donnell after apology; O'Donnell was detained for her reporting&nbsp;</o:p>

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There is no other option for the government to create a progressive society other than education and community engagement, said Waheeda, a university lecturer. <o:p></o:p>

Girls who have been unable to attend school for more than eleven months are pleading to reopen the schools for them. The Taliban government in Afghanistan received harsh criticism from all over the world for issuing a decision to prohibit girls from attending education past sixth grade.

<o:p>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/afghan-youtuber-assaulted-for-fun-by-taliban-terrorists-499980">Afghan YouTuber assaulted for fun by Taliban terrorists&nbsp;&nbsp;</a></o:p>

As per United Nations Assistance Mission Afghanistan (UNAMA), women before the Taliban takeover participated in all facets of public and daily life such as education and the workforce. After the Taliban’s decision, girls weren’t allowed to return to secondary schools, abstaining women from completing 12 years of basic education.<o:p></o:p>

(With inputs from agecnies)

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<o:p>&nbsp;</o:p>

After the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, it’s been more than 300 days since the time schools for girls were shut. However, on Saturday (June 23), a foreign ministry spokesman, Qahar Balkhi during an interview with CGTN said, “this suspension is a temporary suspension, and it is not a permanent ban, it has never been called a ban.

After the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, it’s been more than 300 days since the time schools for girls were shut. However, on Saturday (June 23), a foreign ministry spokesman, Qahar Balkhi during an interview with CGTN said, “this suspension is a temporary suspension, and it is not a permanent ban, it has never been called a ban.” As per Tolo News, in defense of the Taliban, the speaker claimed that the closure of schools for girls was due to the conservative attitudes of the majority of Afghans towards women and education. The leader further continued that they are working to find a mutual solution, ANI reported. As per Balki, the main reason behind the decision was extremely rigid views on women and their capabilities that the majority of the society holds and that the government is attempting to adopt a gradual approach. Also read | Taliban issue new diktat, vow to punish those who criticise ‘Islamic Emirate’ Fariah, a student questioned, “When women are not allowed to see a namhram, then who should treat a woman when she gets sick?” Another student said, “It is very disappointing and we ask the Islamic Emirate to reopen our schools," said a student.” Watch | Taliban releases Australian Journalist O'Donnell after apology; O'Donnell was detained for her reporting There is no other option for the government to create a progressive society other than education and community engagement, said Waheeda, a university lecturer. Girls who have been unable to attend school for more than eleven months are pleading to reopen the schools for them. The Taliban government in Afghanistan received harsh criticism from all over the world for issuing a decision to prohibit girls from attending education past sixth grade. Also read | Afghan YouTuber assaulted for fun by Taliban terrorists As per United Nations Assistance Mission Afghanistan (UNAMA), women before the Taliban takeover participated in all facets of public and daily life such as education and the workforce. After the Taliban’s decision, girls weren’t allowed to return to secondary schools, abstaining women from completing 12 years of basic education. (With inputs from agecnies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Closure of girl’s school in Afghanistan temporary, not permanent, says Taliban

Taliban’s atrocities in Afghanistan continue to worsen as the group continues to deny that there are displaced people and had blocked the entry of humanitarian aid into the Bamyan region. According to sources in Bamyan, there are so many displaced people living on the outskirts of the Yakawlang who are in severe need of aid. As per reports of Khaama Press, recent humanitarian aid supplies delivered to Balkhab by the World Food Programme (WFP) were also displaced. Additionally, the locals of the areas have either fled or were forced to depart, leaving the Taliban in place, ANI reported.

According to UNHCR, it is crucial and urgent to provide shelter and food for displaced people who reside at a height of 2,700 meters in the chilly regions of Bamyan province.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-founder-mullah-omars-vehicle-that-he-used-to-flee-during-us-invasion-dug-up-from-ground-494717">Taliban founder Mullah Omar's vehicle that he used to flee during US invasion dug up from ground</a>

The local media said that nearly 27,000 people had been forced to flee from their homes in a matter of two weeks due to fighting in the Balkhab district of the Sar-e Pul province in the country’s north.

Watch |&nbsp;Report: UAE to run Kabul Airport | Taliban looks to make allies in Gulf

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The Khaama press reported that according to the United Nations Organisations for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (UNOCHA), more than 6,000 people from the Balkhab region have been displaced and are now being relocated to Bamyan, where the situation is similarly dire.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-activists-denounce-illegitimate-taliban-rule-494159">Afghan women activists denounce 'illegitimate' Taliban rule</a>

The local media also said that Afghan women in the Balkhab region are being harassed by Taliban fighters in the region. &nbsp;

Ever since the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, the situation of the country and its people continue too worse. The Taliban deliberately adopted actions and policies with the intent of utterly eliminating women and girls from all aspects of public life, reflecting the position of females in the South Asian country. All of this happened in just ten months after taking control of the country.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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Taliban’s atrocities in Afghanistan continue to worsen as the group continues to deny that there are displaced people and had blocked the entry of humanitarian aid into the Bamyan region.

Taliban’s atrocities in Afghanistan continue to worsen as the group continues to deny that there are displaced people and had blocked the entry of humanitarian aid into the Bamyan region. According to sources in Bamyan, there are so many displaced people living on the outskirts of the Yakawlang who are in severe need of aid. As per reports of Khaama Press, recent humanitarian aid supplies delivered to Balkhab by the World Food Programme (WFP) were also displaced. Additionally, the locals of the areas have either fled or were forced to depart, leaving the Taliban in place, ANI reported. According to UNHCR, it is crucial and urgent to provide shelter and food for displaced people who reside at a height of 2,700 meters in the chilly regions of Bamyan province. Also read | Taliban founder Mullah Omar's vehicle that he used to flee during US invasion dug up from ground The local media said that nearly 27,000 people had been forced to flee from their homes in a matter of two weeks due to fighting in the Balkhab district of the Sar-e Pul province in the country’s north. Watch | Report: UAE to run Kabul Airport | Taliban looks to make allies in Gulf The Khaama press reported that according to the United Nations Organisations for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid (UNOCHA), more than 6,000 people from the Balkhab region have been displaced and are now being relocated to Bamyan, where the situation is similarly dire. Also read | Afghan women activists denounce 'illegitimate' Taliban rule The local media also said that Afghan women in the Balkhab region are being harassed by Taliban fighters in the region. Ever since the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, the situation of the country and its people continue too worse. The Taliban deliberately adopted actions and policies with the intent of utterly eliminating women and girls from all aspects of public life, reflecting the position of females in the South Asian country. All of this happened in just ten months after taking control of the country. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Taliban forbid entry of humanitarian aid into Afghanistan's Bamyan province

How the Taliban's return has changed Afghan women's lives

The Taliban are denying driving licenses to Afghan women. Their supreme leader is calling for mandatory face veils. How will the world respond to the Taliban's broken promises? Mariam Wardak tells you.

South Asia Diary: Taliban deny driving license to women

About a dozen&nbsp;women&nbsp;protested in the&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;capital on Tuesday against the&nbsp;Taliban's new edict that females must fully cover their faces&nbsp;and bodies when in public.

Afghanistan's supreme leader and&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;chief Hibatullah Akhundzada issued a mandate over the weekend ordering women to cover&nbsp;up fully, ideally with the traditional all-covering burqa.

The diktat was the latest in a series of creeping restrictions in Afghanistan, where the Islamists have rolled back the marginal gains made by&nbsp;women&nbsp;after a US-led invasion toppled the first&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;regime in 2001.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-angry-as-taliban-makes-face-covering-mandatory-477656">Afghan women angry as Taliban makes face covering mandatory</a>

"Justice, justice!" chanted the protestors, many with uncovered&nbsp;faces, in central Kabul.

The demonstrators also chanted "Burqa is not our hijab!"&nbsp;indicating their objection to trading the less restrictive hijab headscarf for the totally concealing burqa.

Watch |&nbsp;South Asia Diary: Taliban deny driving license to women

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After a short procession, the march was halted by&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;fighters, who also obstructed journalists from reporting on the event.

Akhundzada's&nbsp;decree, which also orders&nbsp;women&nbsp;to "stay at home" if they have no important work outside, has triggered international condemnation.

"We want to live as human beings, not as some animal held captive in a corner of a house," protester Saira Sama Alimyar said at the rally.

Akhundzada also ordered authorities to fire female government employees who do not follow the new dress code, and to suspend male workers if their wives and daughters fail to comply.

In the 20 years between the&nbsp;Taliban's two stints in power,&nbsp;women&nbsp;made some gains in education, the workplace and public life but deeply conservative and patriarchal attitudes still prevailed.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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In the&nbsp;countryside, many&nbsp;women&nbsp;continued to wear the burqa in those two decades.

But several religious scholars and activists say the attire has no basis in Islam and is rather a&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;dress code designed to repress&nbsp;women.

After seizing power last year, the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;had promised a softer version of the harsh Islamist rule that characterised their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001, but many restrictions have already been imposed.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taliban-want-to-erase-women-from-public-life-in-afghanistan-malala-yousafzai-477746">Taliban want to erase women from public life in Afghanistan: Malala Yousafzai</a>

Some&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;women&nbsp;initially pushed back against the curbs, holding small protests where they demanded the right to education and work.

But the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;soon rounded up the ringleaders, holding them incommunicado while denying that they had been detained.

Since their release, most have gone silent.

About a dozen women protested in the Afghan capital on Tuesday against the Taliban's new edict that females must fully cover their faces and bodies when in public.

About a dozen women protested in the Afghan capital on Tuesday against the Taliban's new edict that females must fully cover their faces and bodies when in public. Afghanistan's supreme leader and Taliban chief Hibatullah Akhundzada issued a mandate over the weekend ordering women to cover up fully, ideally with the traditional all-covering burqa. The diktat was the latest in a series of creeping restrictions in Afghanistan, where the Islamists have rolled back the marginal gains made by women after a US-led invasion toppled the first Taliban regime in 2001. Also read | Afghan women angry as Taliban makes face covering mandatory "Justice, justice!" chanted the protestors, many with uncovered faces, in central Kabul. The demonstrators also chanted "Burqa is not our hijab!" indicating their objection to trading the less restrictive hijab headscarf for the totally concealing burqa. Watch | South Asia Diary: Taliban deny driving license to women After a short procession, the march was halted by Taliban fighters, who also obstructed journalists from reporting on the event. Akhundzada's decree, which also orders women to "stay at home" if they have no important work outside, has triggered international condemnation. "We want to live as human beings, not as some animal held captive in a corner of a house," protester Saira Sama Alimyar said at the rally. Akhundzada also ordered authorities to fire female government employees who do not follow the new dress code, and to suspend male workers if their wives and daughters fail to comply. In the 20 years between the Taliban's two stints in power, women made some gains in education, the workplace and public life but deeply conservative and patriarchal attitudes still prevailed. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: In the countryside, many women continued to wear the burqa in those two decades. But several religious scholars and activists say the attire has no basis in Islam and is rather a Taliban dress code designed to repress women. After seizing power last year, the Taliban had promised a softer version of the harsh Islamist rule that characterised their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001, but many restrictions have already been imposed. Also read | Taliban want to erase women from public life in Afghanistan: Malala Yousafzai Some Afghan women initially pushed back against the curbs, holding small protests where they demanded the right to education and work. But the Taliban soon rounded up the ringleaders, holding them incommunicado while denying that they had been detained. Since their release, most have gone silent.

Afghan women protest Taliban decree to cover faces

The United States will take steps to&nbsp;increase&nbsp;pressure&nbsp;on Afghanistan's&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;government to&nbsp;reverse&nbsp;some of its recent decisions restricting the rights of&nbsp;women&nbsp;and&nbsp;girls&nbsp;if the hardline group shows no sign of rescinding the actions on its own.

"We've addressed it directly with the&nbsp;Taliban," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a briefing on Monday. "We have a number of tools that, if we feel these won't be&nbsp;reversed, these won't be undone, that we are prepared to move forward with."

He did&nbsp;not&nbsp;elaborate on the possible steps or indicate how the group, which has already implemented policies curbing 20 years of gains for&nbsp;girls' and&nbsp;women's rights, might have a change of heart.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taliban-want-to-erase-women-from-public-life-in-afghanistan-malala-yousafzai-477746">Taliban want to erase women from public life in Afghanistan: Malala Yousafzai</a>

The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;on Saturday ordered&nbsp;women&nbsp;to cover their faces in public, a return to a signature policy of their past hardline rule and an escalation of restrictions that are causing anger at home and abroad.

The ideal face covering was the all-encompassing blue burqa, the group said, referring to the garment that was obligatory for women in public during the&nbsp;Taliban's previous 1996-2001 rule.

Watch |&nbsp;South Asia Diary: Taliban deny driving license to women

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The international community has made the education of&nbsp;girls&nbsp;a key demand for any future recognition of the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;administration, which took over the country in August as foreign forces withdrew.

Despite that, the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;has restricted&nbsp;girls&nbsp;and&nbsp;women&nbsp;from working and limited their travel unless accompanied by a close male relative. Most&nbsp;girls&nbsp;were also barred from going to school beyond seventh grade.

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"We've consulted closely with our allies and partners," Price said. "There are steps that we will continue to take to&nbsp;increase&nbsp;pressure&nbsp;on the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;to&nbsp;reverse&nbsp;some of these&nbsp;decisions, to make good on the promises that they have made."

A key piece of leverage held by Washington over the group is the $7 billion in frozen Afghan central bank assets on&nbsp;US&nbsp;soil - half of which the Biden administration is seeking to free up to help the Afghan people, the administration has said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-angry-as-taliban-makes-face-covering-mandatory-477656">Afghan women angry as Taliban makes face covering mandatory</a>

The United States and other countries have already cut development aid and sanctioned the banking system since the group took over, pushing Afghanistan toward economic ruin.

US&nbsp;Special Representative for Afghanistan Tom West expressed "deep concern" over the Saturday decision in a series of tweets, while the&nbsp;US&nbsp;Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said it was an "unconscionable" move.

Most&nbsp;women&nbsp;in Afghanistan wear a headscarf for religious reasons but many in urban areas such as Kabul do&nbsp;not&nbsp;cover their faces.

The United States will take steps to increase pressure on Afghanistan's Taliban government to reverse some of its recent decisions restricting the rights of women and girls if the hardline group shows no sign of rescinding the actions on its own.

The United States will take steps to increase pressure on Afghanistan's Taliban government to reverse some of its recent decisions restricting the rights of women and girls if the hardline group shows no sign of rescinding the actions on its own. "We've addressed it directly with the Taliban," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a briefing on Monday. "We have a number of tools that, if we feel these won't be reversed, these won't be undone, that we are prepared to move forward with." He did not elaborate on the possible steps or indicate how the group, which has already implemented policies curbing 20 years of gains for girls' and women's rights, might have a change of heart. Also read | Taliban want to erase women from public life in Afghanistan: Malala Yousafzai The Taliban on Saturday ordered women to cover their faces in public, a return to a signature policy of their past hardline rule and an escalation of restrictions that are causing anger at home and abroad. The ideal face covering was the all-encompassing blue burqa, the group said, referring to the garment that was obligatory for women in public during the Taliban's previous 1996-2001 rule. Watch | South Asia Diary: Taliban deny driving license to women The international community has made the education of girls a key demand for any future recognition of the Taliban administration, which took over the country in August as foreign forces withdrew. Despite that, the Taliban has restricted girls and women from working and limited their travel unless accompanied by a close male relative. Most girls were also barred from going to school beyond seventh grade. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: "We've consulted closely with our allies and partners," Price said. "There are steps that we will continue to take to increase pressure on the Taliban to reverse some of these decisions, to make good on the promises that they have made." A key piece of leverage held by Washington over the group is the $7 billion in frozen Afghan central bank assets on US soil - half of which the Biden administration is seeking to free up to help the Afghan people, the administration has said. Also read | Afghan women angry as Taliban makes face covering mandatory The United States and other countries have already cut development aid and sanctioned the banking system since the group took over, pushing Afghanistan toward economic ruin. US Special Representative for Afghanistan Tom West expressed "deep concern" over the Saturday decision in a series of tweets, while the US Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said it was an "unconscionable" move. Most women in Afghanistan wear a headscarf for religious reasons but many in urban areas such as Kabul do not cover their faces.

US says it will increase pressure on Taliban if it does not reverse decisions on women, girls

Recently, the&nbsp;Taliban’s leader Hibaitullah Akhunzada passed an order, mandating women to cover themselves from head&nbsp;to toe with&nbsp;just their eyes visible. It doesn’t end here, the Taliban leader, even advised that women should not leave their houses until it is necessary and even outlined punishments for male relatives of women who break the rule.&nbsp;

On Sunday (May 7), women in Kabul, the capital wore the traditional conservative Muslim attire. The majority wore the traditional hijab, which consists of headscarf and a long robe or coat, but a few wore a burqa, which covers their faces and hides the eyes behind netting as ordered by the Taliban a day before.

Watch |&nbsp;Panjshir valley: Taliban faces rebellion, Insurgent group launches offensive

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Women in Afghanistan wear the hijab, and many wear the burqa, but this isn't about hijab, this is about the Taliban wanting to make all women disappear," said Shabana, who wore brilliant gold bangles beneath her long black coat and her hair buried behind a black head scarf with sequins. She further said that the Taliban is making an attempt to make women invisible.&nbsp;

"Afghan women still protesting against Taliban violations of their rights, even after the Taliban has beaten, pepper-sprayed, abducted, detained and abused women protesters,"&nbsp;said Heather Barr, associate director of women's rights.

Hoda Khamosh, a women's rights activist, stated that Afghan women are no longer retreating and are confronting all difficulties.

"..this is the world that has closed its eyes to the crimes, the result of all these worries and all these meetings must be determined,"&nbsp;Khamosh tweeted.

The Taliban rulers are driving Afghans to leave their country. Why should I stay here if they don't want to give us our human rights? We are human," said Arooza, a teacher. Several women stopped to talk. They all challenged the latest edict.

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Akhunzada, prefers the harsh parts of the group’s earlier rule during the 1990s, when the females were generally excluded from school, work and public life.

In the meantime, the government is grappling with an economic crisis. The group is trying to get Western recognition but have mostly failed, owing to the Taliban’s failure to build a representative administrative and restrictions on women’s right. However, the movement’s hardliners and pragmatists have avoided direct confrontation.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/plan-to-ban-women-from-driving-taliban-stop-issuing-driving-licence-to-ladies-476431">Plan to ban women from driving? Taliban stop issuing driving licence to ladies</a>

On the eve of the starting of new sessions in school, divides between males and females were exacerbated when the Taliban made a last-minute decision that girls won’t be allowed to attend school&nbsp;after sixth grade.&nbsp;

This decision is a major setback for Afghan women who relatively enjoyed independence for two decades prior to the Taliban’s takeover last August, when US and other foreign forces departed ending a 20-year conflict.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Recently, the Taliban’s leader Hibaitullah Akhunzada passed an order, mandating women to cover themselves from head to toe with just their eyes visible. It doesn’t end here, the Taliban leader, even advised that women should not leave their houses until it is necessary and even outlined punishments for male relatives of women who break the rule.

Recently, the Taliban’s leader Hibaitullah Akhunzada passed an order, mandating women to cover themselves from head to toe with just their eyes visible. It doesn’t end here, the Taliban leader, even advised that women should not leave their houses until it is necessary and even outlined punishments for male relatives of women who break the rule. On Sunday (May 7), women in Kabul, the capital wore the traditional conservative Muslim attire. The majority wore the traditional hijab, which consists of headscarf and a long robe or coat, but a few wore a burqa, which covers their faces and hides the eyes behind netting as ordered by the Taliban a day before. Watch | Panjshir valley: Taliban faces rebellion, Insurgent group launches offensive Women in Afghanistan wear the hijab, and many wear the burqa, but this isn't about hijab, this is about the Taliban wanting to make all women disappear," said Shabana, who wore brilliant gold bangles beneath her long black coat and her hair buried behind a black head scarf with sequins. She further said that the Taliban is making an attempt to make women invisible. "Afghan women still protesting against Taliban violations of their rights, even after the Taliban has beaten, pepper-sprayed, abducted, detained and abused women protesters," said Heather Barr, associate director of women's rights. Hoda Khamosh, a women's rights activist, stated that Afghan women are no longer retreating and are confronting all difficulties. "..this is the world that has closed its eyes to the crimes, the result of all these worries and all these meetings must be determined," Khamosh tweeted. The Taliban rulers are driving Afghans to leave their country. Why should I stay here if they don't want to give us our human rights? We are human," said Arooza, a teacher. Several women stopped to talk. They all challenged the latest edict. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: Akhunzada, prefers the harsh parts of the group’s earlier rule during the 1990s, when the females were generally excluded from school, work and public life. In the meantime, the government is grappling with an economic crisis. The group is trying to get Western recognition but have mostly failed, owing to the Taliban’s failure to build a representative administrative and restrictions on women’s right. However, the movement’s hardliners and pragmatists have avoided direct confrontation. Also read | Plan to ban women from driving? Taliban stop issuing driving licence to ladies On the eve of the starting of new sessions in school, divides between males and females were exacerbated when the Taliban made a last-minute decision that girls won’t be allowed to attend school after sixth grade. This decision is a major setback for Afghan women who relatively enjoyed independence for two decades prior to the Taliban’s takeover last August, when US and other foreign forces departed ending a 20-year conflict. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan women angry as Taliban makes face covering mandatory

Now, Taliban orders Afghan women to fully cover themselves in public

Days after the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;staged a cruel U-turn on allowing&nbsp;Afghan&nbsp;girls&nbsp;back to&nbsp;school, Adeeba Haidari feels as if she is in prison.&nbsp;

The 13-year-old was one of thousands of jubilant&nbsp;girls&nbsp;who flocked back to secondary&nbsp;schools&nbsp;reopening across the country on Wednesday, for the first time since the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;seized power in August.&nbsp;

But just hours into classes, the education ministry announced a shock policy reversal that left schoolgirls feeling betrayed and the international community outraged.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/every-afghan-girl-has-right-to-education-us-allies-slam-taliban-ban-on-girls-education-465293">'Every Afghan girl has right to education': US, allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education</a>

"Not only me but everyone you asked believed that the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;had&nbsp;changed," said Adeeba, who briefly returned to Al Fatah Girls School&nbsp;in the capital, Kabul.

"When they sent everyone back home&nbsp;from&nbsp;school, we understood that the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;were the same&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;of 25 years ago," her 11-year-old sister Malahat added.

"We are being treated like criminals just because we are&nbsp;girls. Afghanistan has turned into a jail for us."

When the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;returned to power, they promised a softer rule compared with their first regime&nbsp;from&nbsp;1996 to 2001, which became notorious for human rights abuses.

They claimed to respect women's rights, in line with their interpretation of Islamic sharia law, and said&nbsp;girls&nbsp;would be allowed to study through to university.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-order-afghan-girls-schools-shut-hours-after-reopening-464773">Taliban order Afghan girls' schools shut hours after reopening</a>

But the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;have imposed a slew of restrictions on women, effectively banning them&nbsp;from&nbsp;many government jobs, policing what they wear and preventing them&nbsp;from&nbsp;travelling outside of their cities alone.

They have also detained several women's rights activists.

"We miss our freedom. We miss our classmates and teachers," said Adeeba.

Dreams shattered

There has been no clear explanation for the last-minute reversal on secondary&nbsp;schools,&nbsp;but reports leaked&nbsp;from&nbsp;a secretive leadership meeting this week suggested motives ranging&nbsp;from&nbsp;problems with uniforms to an outright rejection of the need for education for teenage&nbsp;girls.

The education ministry still insists&nbsp;schools&nbsp;will restart, but only when new guidelines are issued.

Across town, Nargis Jafri,&nbsp;from&nbsp;the minority Shiite Hazara community, said the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;feel threatened by educated women.

"They believe that if we study, we will gain knowledge and we will fight against them," the 14-year-old told AFP, sitting with her books spread out on her study table at home.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/parents-of-indian-photographer-killed-in-afghanistan-start-legal-action-against-taliban-464652">Parents of Indian photographer killed in Afghanistan start legal action against Taliban</a>

It is agonising for her to watch boys her age walking past her house on their way to&nbsp;school&nbsp;each morning.

"It is really hard and painful for me," she said.

Like many families, history is repeating itself&nbsp;from&nbsp;one generation to the next.

Nargis's mother, Hamida, was forced to leave&nbsp;school&nbsp;during the&nbsp;Taliban's first rule when she was about 10 years old.

The stories&nbsp;from&nbsp;what she&nbsp;thought&nbsp;was a distant past are flooding into her mind again.

"I used to feel strange when she told us how she wore a burqa or a chador, or how a woman was not allowed to go out without a male relative," Nargis said.

Hamida now struggles to accept a similar fate for her daughter.&nbsp;

"My daughter will be held back&nbsp;from&nbsp;going to&nbsp;school," she said. "The dreams she has in her heart will be shattered."

Watch |&nbsp;Taliban backtracks on announcement of reopening schools for girls in Afghanistan

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Days after the Taliban staged a cruel U-turn on allowing Afghan girls back to school, Adeeba Haidari feels as if she is in prison. The 13-year-old was one of thousands of jubilant girls who flocked back to secondary schools reopening across the country on Wednesday, for the first time since the Taliban seized power in August.

Days after the Taliban staged a cruel U-turn on allowing Afghan girls back to school, Adeeba Haidari feels as if she is in prison. The 13-year-old was one of thousands of jubilant girls who flocked back to secondary schools reopening across the country on Wednesday, for the first time since the Taliban seized power in August. But just hours into classes, the education ministry announced a shock policy reversal that left schoolgirls feeling betrayed and the international community outraged. Also read | 'Every Afghan girl has right to education': US, allies slam Taliban ban on girls' education "Not only me but everyone you asked believed that the Taliban had changed," said Adeeba, who briefly returned to Al Fatah Girls School in the capital, Kabul. "When they sent everyone back home from school, we understood that the Taliban were the same Taliban of 25 years ago," her 11-year-old sister Malahat added. "We are being treated like criminals just because we are girls. Afghanistan has turned into a jail for us." When the Taliban returned to power, they promised a softer rule compared with their first regime from 1996 to 2001, which became notorious for human rights abuses. They claimed to respect women's rights, in line with their interpretation of Islamic sharia law, and said girls would be allowed to study through to university. Also read | Taliban order Afghan girls' schools shut hours after reopening But the Taliban have imposed a slew of restrictions on women, effectively banning them from many government jobs, policing what they wear and preventing them from travelling outside of their cities alone. They have also detained several women's rights activists. "We miss our freedom. We miss our classmates and teachers," said Adeeba. Dreams shattered There has been no clear explanation for the last-minute reversal on secondary schools, but reports leaked from a secretive leadership meeting this week suggested motives ranging from problems with uniforms to an outright rejection of the need for education for teenage girls. The education ministry still insists schools will restart, but only when new guidelines are issued. Across town, Nargis Jafri, from the minority Shiite Hazara community, said the Taliban feel threatened by educated women. "They believe that if we study, we will gain knowledge and we will fight against them," the 14-year-old told AFP, sitting with her books spread out on her study table at home. Also read | Parents of Indian photographer killed in Afghanistan start legal action against Taliban It is agonising for her to watch boys her age walking past her house on their way to school each morning. "It is really hard and painful for me," she said. Like many families, history is repeating itself from one generation to the next. Nargis's mother, Hamida, was forced to leave school during the Taliban's first rule when she was about 10 years old. The stories from what she thought was a distant past are flooding into her mind again. "I used to feel strange when she told us how she wore a burqa or a chador, or how a woman was not allowed to go out without a male relative," Nargis said. Hamida now struggles to accept a similar fate for her daughter. "My daughter will be held back from going to school," she said. "The dreams she has in her heart will be shattered." Watch | Taliban backtracks on announcement of reopening schools for girls in Afghanistan

'We thought Taliban had changed': Afghan girls banned from school

In a meeting held in Afghanistan, the female Foreign Ministers of at least seventeen countries across the world have expressed deep concerns regarding human rights violations and restrictions against women in Afghanistan, said a media report.

Expressing concern on suppression of women in Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministers called on the Taliban to lift all restrictions, especially education barriers, against Afghan women, Tolo News reported.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nearly-400-civilians-killed-in-afghanistan-since-taliban-takeover-un-460263">Nearly 400 civilians killed in Afghanistan since Taliban takeover: UN</a>

"Ministers expressed deep concern about human rights violations, especially the denial of women and girls from full access and participation in education...It is essential that the Taliban lifts all barriers and prohibitions against the full participation of women and girls in genuine education and schooling," said the statement released after the meeting, which was held virtually and hosted by Australia.

The participants of the meeting also decided to continue close monitoring of the Taliban's actions, especially those related to the female population.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/new-face-of-afghanistan-women-march-in-support-of-taliban-412337">New face of Afghanistan? Women march in support of Taliban</a>

Notably, this comes as US special envoy for Afghan Women and Human Rights, Rina Amiri, on International Women's Day, stressed the importance of participation of Afghan women for an inclusive, stable and economically viable Afghanistan, reported the media outlet.

Meanwhile, Afghan women who lost their jobs after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan asserted that the role of women must not be ignored in society.

Watch |&nbsp;Conference on Afghanistan: How can extremism be countered?

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"Our politicians followed and implemented wrong approaches in Afghanistan which made the country poorer and more desperate," the Afghan news quoted Farah Mustafawee, a women's rights activist, as saying.

However, taking to Twitter, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid on Tuesday said that the Islamic Emirate is committed to upholding the Sharia rights of all Afghan women.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The Islamic Emirate is committed to upholding the Sharia rights of all Afghan women. International Women's Day is a great opportunity for our Afghan women to demand their legitimate rights. We protect and defend the rights of our Afghan women, God willing.
— Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) <a href="https://twitter.com/Zabehulah_M33/status/1501103977429143552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Notably, the Taliban regime which took over Kabul in August last year has curtailed women's rights and freedoms, with women largely excluded from the workforce due to the economic crisis and restrictions.&nbsp;

In a meeting held in Afghanistan, the female Foreign Ministers of at least seventeen countries across the world have expressed deep concerns regarding human rights violations and restrictions against women in Afghanistan, said a media report.

In a meeting held in Afghanistan, the female Foreign Ministers of at least seventeen countries across the world have expressed deep concerns regarding human rights violations and restrictions against women in Afghanistan, said a media report. Expressing concern on suppression of women in Afghanistan, the Foreign Ministers called on the Taliban to lift all restrictions, especially education barriers, against Afghan women, Tolo News reported. Also read | Nearly 400 civilians killed in Afghanistan since Taliban takeover: UN "Ministers expressed deep concern about human rights violations, especially the denial of women and girls from full access and participation in education...It is essential that the Taliban lifts all barriers and prohibitions against the full participation of women and girls in genuine education and schooling," said the statement released after the meeting, which was held virtually and hosted by Australia. The participants of the meeting also decided to continue close monitoring of the Taliban's actions, especially those related to the female population. Also read | New face of Afghanistan? Women march in support of Taliban Notably, this comes as US special envoy for Afghan Women and Human Rights, Rina Amiri, on International Women's Day, stressed the importance of participation of Afghan women for an inclusive, stable and economically viable Afghanistan, reported the media outlet. Meanwhile, Afghan women who lost their jobs after the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan asserted that the role of women must not be ignored in society. Watch | Conference on Afghanistan: How can extremism be countered? "Our politicians followed and implemented wrong approaches in Afghanistan which made the country poorer and more desperate," the Afghan news quoted Farah Mustafawee, a women's rights activist, as saying. However, taking to Twitter, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid on Tuesday said that the Islamic Emirate is committed to upholding the Sharia rights of all Afghan women. The Islamic Emirate is committed to upholding the Sharia rights of all Afghan women. International Women's Day is a great opportunity for our Afghan women to demand their legitimate rights. We protect and defend the rights of our Afghan women, God willing. — Zabihullah (..ذبـــــیح الله م ) (@Zabehulah_M33) March 8, 2022 × Notably, the Taliban regime which took over Kabul in August last year has curtailed women's rights and freedoms, with women largely excluded from the workforce due to the economic crisis and restrictions.

Female Foreign Ministers of 17 countries call on Taliban to lift restrictions on Afghan women

As a combat interpreter in Afghanistan, Sharif Azizi helped U.S. Special Forces hunt down Taliban targets, even after suffering leg and chest injuries from stepping on a land mine. When his life was threatened by the insurgents, the United States acknowledged his eight years of service and in 2017 brought him to safety in Los Angeles.

Last year, when Taliban fighters seized Kabul, they came looking for his mother and siblings. Unable to make it through the throngs amassed at the airport as the last U.S. flights were leaving, the family fled to Pakistan. American security officials who had helped arrange their exit papers assured the family that it could apply for a program designed to expedite entry into the United States for people facing emergencies. Months after submitting their applications, they received the response from the U.S. government: denied.

“All the certificates of commendation I received, all the promises we got, it feels like a big lie,” said Azizi, who currently lives in San Jose, California. “They just leave my family and basically say, ‘That’s done. We don’t care.’ ”

Thousands of Afghan allies who narrowly missed being evacuated, and who have been living in hiding in Afghanistan or illegally in neighboring countries, have counted on a program known as humanitarian parole to reach the United States. But half a year since the frantic U.S. withdrawal, most remain stranded, either because they have been denied entry or are still awaiting the outcome of their cases.

Of the 43,000 humanitarian parole applications the agency has received since July 2021, it has processed fewer than 2,000. About 1,500 had been denied and 170 approved as of Feb. 11.

The Department of Homeland Security uses parole authority to allow certain people or groups to legally enter the United States without a visa, which can take months or years to process. It has been utilized in the past to provide safe passage for large numbers of people out of conflict zones where the United States had military involvement, such as Vietnam and Iraq, as well for others in vulnerable situations, including Cubans and Central American minors.

After the hurried pullout from Afghanistan, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency received an avalanche of applications from Afghans who had not managed to board an evacuation flight. But only one out of eight whose cases have been adjudicated thus far has won approval, raising questions about how many people will be admitted and whether the program was ever a realistic option.

“The primary difference between these people and all the people who the U.S. airlifted is that these people were not able to shove their way through the crowds at the airport,” said Kyra Lilien, director of immigration legal services at Jewish Family &amp;amp; Community Services East Bay, a nonprofit in Concord, California, that is resettling Afghan refugees.

The agency has collected millions of dollars from applicants who pay a $575 fee to file, but processing has been sluggish, leading to frustration and worry.

“This was supposed to be a flexible mechanism for Afghans who supported the U.S. mission and have provided ample proof of danger to their lives,” said Steve Brozak, 60, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps who hired an immigration law firm to prepare the applications for the Azizi family.

The Citizenship and Immigration Services agency said it had increased fivefold the number of adjudicators reviewing applications, given the surge in filings. Before the Afghan crisis, about 2,000 people a year applied for humanitarian parole, and 500 to 700 were approved, often for urgent medical treatment or to visit a dying relative.

“Humanitarian parole is not intended to replace established refugee processing channels such as the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, which is the typical pathway for individuals outside of the United States who have fled their country of origin and are seeking protection,” the agency said in a statement.

Under the refugee program, it takes several years for people to be admitted to the United States. It also takes many years for legal U.S. residents, like Azizi, to sponsor their families for admission.

For many of those waiting for emergency approvals, an association with the U.S. mission has made it impossible for them to remain at their homes in Afghanistan; they are either in hiding or are living illegally in other countries, in danger of being sent back.

“The refugee resettlement program is overwhelmed and lacks resources because of all the cuts the prior administration made,” said Steve Yale-Loehr, an immigration law professor at Cornell Law School who directs an Afghan law clinic that has filed dozens of parole applications, none approved so far.

In the statement by Citizenship and Immigration Services, it said the agency had been granting parole when warranted. “In some limited circumstances, protection needs are so urgent that obtaining protection via the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is not a realistic option,” it said.

The bar for qualifying is very high as the government tries to determine which applicants are in genuine imminent danger and which could wait to apply for ordinary refugee status. Applicants must provide documentation from a credible third-party source that specifically names the targeted person and details the potential harm that person faces. Lawyers helping applicants file the claims said the standard was higher than what is generally applied to parole applicants and would be very difficult for most people fleeing a country in conflict to meet.

“This criteria makes it nearly impossible for the vast majority of cases to be granted,” said Lilien, who has received 13 denials on the applications she has submitted and is waiting for decisions on an additional 78, almost all of which were filed before mid-September.

A letter sent Tuesday to the Homeland Security secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, and signed by more than 200 representatives of legal-service providers, resettlement agencies and university law clinics called on the Biden administration to establish a streamlined, efficient system to bring vulnerable Afghans to the United States.

“While the military evacuation efforts ended with the withdrawal of U.S. troops in August 2021, at-risk Afghans’ dire need for protection has not,” the letter said.

“In keeping with its promises, the administration must act with urgency to utilize all tools at its disposal, including parole, to provide protection from persecution and violence in Afghanistan due to the accelerating human rights and humanitarian crisis,” the letter said, citing extrajudicial killings, disappearances and other human rights abuses.

It pointed out that after the fall of Saigon, the United States established a parole program to swiftly evacuate more than 140,000 Vietnamese refugees.

A majority of the 76,000 Afghans evacuated during the U.S. pullout were admitted on arrival with humanitarian parole, many of them people who might also have qualified for special immigrant visas issued to people who had worked directly for the U.S. forces, like Azizi, or for refugee status after performing jobs that advanced the goals of the U.S. mission.

Azizi said the Taliban had come searching for his family members after they abandoned their home. Soldiers had questioned the neighbors about their whereabouts and left a notice that ordered the family to report to Taliban headquarters upon its return, he said.

Azizi’s mother, Sima Barakzai, had been employed as a U.S. contractor as a cook, according to documents she submitted as part of her application. His sister, Sharareh, was trained and recognized by the U.S. Agency for International Development for her work to promote women’s rights, and her parole application, also reviewed by The Times, included a photograph of her shaking hands with Ashraf Ghani, the former Afghan president.

In all, four family members had been issued an exit pass by U.S. military authorities in Afghanistan that entitled them to board U.S. evacuation flights, but they were unable to get through the gates at the airport in Kabul before the last flights departed.

As weeks turned into months without any decision on their applications, Brozak, the retired military officer who was aiding them, enlisted the help of Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., who personally reached out to the Homeland Security Department, which oversees Citizenship and Immigration Services, on the family’s behalf. To no avail.

On Jan. 27, the family members were dismayed to receive denial letters. A form letter, which did not address the particulars of their cases, stated that parole was granted to people “at risk of severe targeted or individualized harm” in the country where they were located, or who risked imminent return to a country where they would be harmed.

In Pakistan, they are leading a precarious existence, unable to work to support themselves and trying to stay under the radar because of their illegal status. They have had to move four times.

During an outing to buy food recently, Azizi’s 19-year-old brother was beaten up by people demanding bribes to refrain from reporting the family to authorities.

Azizi, who has been working as an Uber driver while taking computer science classes, said he had put his life in California on hold as he devoted himself to assisting his family.

“My heart is in so much pain. What will life be worth for me if I lose a member of my family?” said Azizi, weeping during an interview.

“I participated in big military operations. I risked my life for this country,” he said. “But it just abandoned my family.”

As a combat interpreter in Afghanistan, Sharif Azizi helped U.S. Special Forces hunt down Taliban targets, even after suffering leg and chest injuries from stepping on a land mine.

As a combat interpreter in Afghanistan, Sharif Azizi helped U.S. Special Forces hunt down Taliban targets, even after suffering leg and chest injuries from stepping on a land mine. When his life was threatened by the insurgents, the United States acknowledged his eight years of service and in 2017 brought him to safety in Los Angeles. Last year, when Taliban fighters seized Kabul, they came looking for his mother and siblings. Unable to make it through the throngs amassed at the airport as the last U.S. flights were leaving, the family fled to Pakistan. American security officials who had helped arrange their exit papers assured the family that it could apply for a program designed to expedite entry into the United States for people facing emergencies. Months after submitting their applications, they received the response from the U.S. government: denied. “All the certificates of commendation I received, all the promises we got, it feels like a big lie,” said Azizi, who currently lives in San Jose, California. “They just leave my family and basically say, ‘That’s done. We don’t care.’ ” Thousands of Afghan allies who narrowly missed being evacuated, and who have been living in hiding in Afghanistan or illegally in neighboring countries, have counted on a program known as humanitarian parole to reach the United States. But half a year since the frantic U.S. withdrawal, most remain stranded, either because they have been denied entry or are still awaiting the outcome of their cases. Of the 43,000 humanitarian parole applications the agency has received since July 2021, it has processed fewer than 2,000. About 1,500 had been denied and 170 approved as of Feb. 11. The Department of Homeland Security uses parole authority to allow certain people or groups to legally enter the United States without a visa, which can take months or years to process. It has been utilized in the past to provide safe passage for large numbers of people out of conflict zones where the United States had military involvement, such as Vietnam and Iraq, as well for others in vulnerable situations, including Cubans and Central American minors. After the hurried pullout from Afghanistan, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency received an avalanche of applications from Afghans who had not managed to board an evacuation flight. But only one out of eight whose cases have been adjudicated thus far has won approval, raising questions about how many people will be admitted and whether the program was ever a realistic option. “The primary difference between these people and all the people who the U.S. airlifted is that these people were not able to shove their way through the crowds at the airport,” said Kyra Lilien, director of immigration legal services at Jewish Family &amp; Community Services East Bay, a nonprofit in Concord, California, that is resettling Afghan refugees. The agency has collected millions of dollars from applicants who pay a $575 fee to file, but processing has been sluggish, leading to frustration and worry. “This was supposed to be a flexible mechanism for Afghans who supported the U.S. mission and have provided ample proof of danger to their lives,” said Steve Brozak, 60, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps who hired an immigration law firm to prepare the applications for the Azizi family. The Citizenship and Immigration Services agency said it had increased fivefold the number of adjudicators reviewing applications, given the surge in filings. Before the Afghan crisis, about 2,000 people a year applied for humanitarian parole, and 500 to 700 were approved, often for urgent medical treatment or to visit a dying relative. “Humanitarian parole is not intended to replace established refugee processing channels such as the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, which is the typical pathway for individuals outside of the United States who have fled their country of origin and are seeking protection,” the agency said in a statement. Under the refugee program, it takes several years for people to be admitted to the United States. It also takes many years for legal U.S. residents, like Azizi, to sponsor their families for admission. For many of those waiting for emergency approvals, an association with the U.S. mission has made it impossible for them to remain at their homes in Afghanistan; they are either in hiding or are living illegally in other countries, in danger of being sent back. “The refugee resettlement program is overwhelmed and lacks resources because of all the cuts the prior administration made,” said Steve Yale-Loehr, an immigration law professor at Cornell Law School who directs an Afghan law clinic that has filed dozens of parole applications, none approved so far. In the statement by Citizenship and Immigration Services, it said the agency had been granting parole when warranted. “In some limited circumstances, protection needs are so urgent that obtaining protection via the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is not a realistic option,” it said. The bar for qualifying is very high as the government tries to determine which applicants are in genuine imminent danger and which could wait to apply for ordinary refugee status. Applicants must provide documentation from a credible third-party source that specifically names the targeted person and details the potential harm that person faces. Lawyers helping applicants file the claims said the standard was higher than what is generally applied to parole applicants and would be very difficult for most people fleeing a country in conflict to meet. “This criteria makes it nearly impossible for the vast majority of cases to be granted,” said Lilien, who has received 13 denials on the applications she has submitted and is waiting for decisions on an additional 78, almost all of which were filed before mid-September. A letter sent Tuesday to the Homeland Security secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, and signed by more than 200 representatives of legal-service providers, resettlement agencies and university law clinics called on the Biden administration to establish a streamlined, efficient system to bring vulnerable Afghans to the United States. “While the military evacuation efforts ended with the withdrawal of U.S. troops in August 2021, at-risk Afghans’ dire need for protection has not,” the letter said. “In keeping with its promises, the administration must act with urgency to utilize all tools at its disposal, including parole, to provide protection from persecution and violence in Afghanistan due to the accelerating human rights and humanitarian crisis,” the letter said, citing extrajudicial killings, disappearances and other human rights abuses. It pointed out that after the fall of Saigon, the United States established a parole program to swiftly evacuate more than 140,000 Vietnamese refugees. A majority of the 76,000 Afghans evacuated during the U.S. pullout were admitted on arrival with humanitarian parole, many of them people who might also have qualified for special immigrant visas issued to people who had worked directly for the U.S. forces, like Azizi, or for refugee status after performing jobs that advanced the goals of the U.S. mission. Azizi said the Taliban had come searching for his family members after they abandoned their home. Soldiers had questioned the neighbors about their whereabouts and left a notice that ordered the family to report to Taliban headquarters upon its return, he said. Azizi’s mother, Sima Barakzai, had been employed as a U.S. contractor as a cook, according to documents she submitted as part of her application. His sister, Sharareh, was trained and recognized by the U.S. Agency for International Development for her work to promote women’s rights, and her parole application, also reviewed by The Times, included a photograph of her shaking hands with Ashraf Ghani, the former Afghan president. In all, four family members had been issued an exit pass by U.S. military authorities in Afghanistan that entitled them to board U.S. evacuation flights, but they were unable to get through the gates at the airport in Kabul before the last flights departed. As weeks turned into months without any decision on their applications, Brozak, the retired military officer who was aiding them, enlisted the help of Sen. Bob Menendez, D-N.J., who personally reached out to the Homeland Security Department, which oversees Citizenship and Immigration Services, on the family’s behalf. To no avail. On Jan. 27, the family members were dismayed to receive denial letters. A form letter, which did not address the particulars of their cases, stated that parole was granted to people “at risk of severe targeted or individualized harm” in the country where they were located, or who risked imminent return to a country where they would be harmed. In Pakistan, they are leading a precarious existence, unable to work to support themselves and trying to stay under the radar because of their illegal status. They have had to move four times. During an outing to buy food recently, Azizi’s 19-year-old brother was beaten up by people demanding bribes to refrain from reporting the family to authorities. Azizi, who has been working as an Uber driver while taking computer science classes, said he had put his life in California on hold as he devoted himself to assisting his family. “My heart is in so much pain. What will life be worth for me if I lose a member of my family?” said Azizi, weeping during an interview. “I participated in big military operations. I risked my life for this country,” he said. “But it just abandoned my family.”

Afghans who bet on fast path to the US are facing a closed door

Gulf envoys stressed Monday that women must be able to work and go to school, in talks with the Taliban foreign minister as Afghanistan's hardline Islamic rulers made a new bid to unblock foreign aid.

Amir Khan Muttaqi, a key member of the Taliban leadership that took over Kabul six months ago, met in Doha with ambassadors from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on the first full day of his latest mission, where he is also to hold talks with European envoys.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/taliban-al-qaida-let-jem-links-concerning-says-unscs-counter-terror-committee-chair-tirumurti-453293" hreflang="en">Taliban, Al Qaida and LeT, JeM links concerning: TS Tirumurti</a>

The Taliban have been struggling to unfreeze billions of dollars of assets abroad and get sanctions lifted as it faces pressure over its treatment of women and supporters of the Western-backed government toppled last year.

The Taliban tweeted pictures of the smiling foreign minister entering Monday's meeting with representatives from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. But diplomats said no promises were made by Afghan officials inside.

Arab envoys emphasised the need to help Afghanistan's "urgent humanitarian needs" as the country confronts widespread hunger caused by drought as well as an economic crisis that has driven up chronic unemployment, said a GCC statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-detain-29-women-and-their-families-in-kabul-claims-us-diplomat-452857" hreflang="en">Taliban detain 29 women and their families in Kabul, claims US diplomat</a>

While highlighting that there should be "non-interference" in Afghanistan's affairs, they "stressed" the importance of a national reconciliation plan that "takes into consideration the interests of all components of society and respects basic freedoms and rights, including women's right to work and education".

The ambassadors also raised fears that "terrorist groups may be able to launch attacks from Afghanistan's territory against other countries".&nbsp;

They insisted that the country must not be exploited to fuel the illegal drugs trade.

Muttaqi, who is to hold a key meeting with European nations and other international representatives on Wednesday, made no comment after the meeting.&nbsp;

No country has yet recognised the Taliban government and the latest talks came only days after President Joe Biden said that $7 billion held in US banks would be split between a fund to aid Afghanistan and to compensate victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.

European governments and international finance institutions are also holding back billions in aid.&nbsp;

Gulf envoys stressed Monday that women must be able to work and go to school, in talks with the Taliban foreign minister as Afghanistan's hardline Islamic rulers made a new bid to unblock foreign aid.

Gulf envoys stressed Monday that women must be able to work and go to school, in talks with the Taliban foreign minister as Afghanistan's hardline Islamic rulers made a new bid to unblock foreign aid. Amir Khan Muttaqi, a key member of the Taliban leadership that took over Kabul six months ago, met in Doha with ambassadors from the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on the first full day of his latest mission, where he is also to hold talks with European envoys. Also read | Taliban, Al Qaida and LeT, JeM links concerning: TS Tirumurti The Taliban have been struggling to unfreeze billions of dollars of assets abroad and get sanctions lifted as it faces pressure over its treatment of women and supporters of the Western-backed government toppled last year. The Taliban tweeted pictures of the smiling foreign minister entering Monday's meeting with representatives from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. But diplomats said no promises were made by Afghan officials inside. Arab envoys emphasised the need to help Afghanistan's "urgent humanitarian needs" as the country confronts widespread hunger caused by drought as well as an economic crisis that has driven up chronic unemployment, said a GCC statement. Also read | Taliban detain 29 women and their families in Kabul, claims US diplomat While highlighting that there should be "non-interference" in Afghanistan's affairs, they "stressed" the importance of a national reconciliation plan that "takes into consideration the interests of all components of society and respects basic freedoms and rights, including women's right to work and education". The ambassadors also raised fears that "terrorist groups may be able to launch attacks from Afghanistan's territory against other countries". They insisted that the country must not be exploited to fuel the illegal drugs trade. Muttaqi, who is to hold a key meeting with European nations and other international representatives on Wednesday, made no comment after the meeting. No country has yet recognised the Taliban government and the latest talks came only days after President Joe Biden said that $7 billion held in US banks would be split between a fund to aid Afghanistan and to compensate victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks. European governments and international finance institutions are also holding back billions in aid.

Arab states stress women's rights to Taliban in aid talks

In Afghanistan patriarchal traditions, poverty and, lack of education have stifled women's rights for decades. Here's a heart-wrenching ordeal of a 22-year-old woman married off as a mere child. She is now living in one of the few shelters for battered women that still exists in Afghanistan under the Taliban's rule. This is her story of abuse, torture, and sorrow.

Poverty, lack of education hampers women's rights in Afghanistan

Members of Afghanistan women's political participation network protested in a closed area in Kabul demanding rights to education, work and political participation.

Afghan women protest in a closed area in Kabul demanding rights

Afghan women protest against killing of former troops, demand equal rights

Acting Afghan Higher Education Minister Abdul Baqi Haqqani on Sunday said ''co-education is against Islamic values.''

During a press conference in Kabul, he said that his government does not oppose women's education but rather the concept of men and women studying together.

"We are working on building an Islamic environment where women could study... it might take some time," he added.

However, he did not specify when girls might return to school and university classes across the country.

Also see |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/dont-politicise-education-and-right-to-work-afghan-women-protest-against-taliban-government-422880" hreflang="en">'Don't politicise education and right to work:' Afghan women protest against Taliban government</a>

Blasting the decision, Heather Barr, the associate director of women's rights in the Human Rights Watch, said "This new order essentially moves... further in the direction of making women prisoners."

It "shuts off opportunities for them to be able to move about freely, to travel to another city, to do business, (or) to be able to flee if they are facing violence in the home", Barr added.&nbsp;

It comes despite the hardline Islamists seeking to project a moderate image internationally in a bid to restore aid suspended when the previous government imploded during the final stages of a US military withdrawal.

Meanwhile, the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has issued a guidance that women seeking to travel long distances should not be offered road transport unless they are accompanied by a close male relative.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/afghan-women-cant-travel-long-distances-without-male-relative-taliban-440129" hreflang="en">Afghan women can't travel long distances without male relative: Taliban</a>

The Taliban have faced heavy criticism for keeping women and girls out of employment and education and excluding broad sections of Afghan society from the government.&nbsp;

They have television dramas that included female actors and ordering women news presenters to wear "Islamic hijab".

The Taliban's definition of the hijab, which can range from a hair covering to a face veil or full-body covering, is unclear, and most Afghan women already wear headscarves.

The international community has accused them of trampling on human rights and, despite their promise of amnesty, targeting officials of the former administration.

However, acting Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said the government had restored peace and security and done much to address demands for more inclusiveness with respect for human rights, including the rights of women.

"All must acknowledge that political isolation of Afghanistan is not beneficial for anyone, therefore it is imperative that all support the prevailing stability and back it both politically and economically," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Acting Afghan Higher Education Minister Abdul Baqi Haqqani on Sunday said ''co-education is against Islamic values.'' During a press conference in Kabul, he said that his government does not oppose women's education but rather the concept of men and women studying together.

Acting Afghan Higher Education Minister Abdul Baqi Haqqani on Sunday said ''co-education is against Islamic values.'' During a press conference in Kabul, he said that his government does not oppose women's education but rather the concept of men and women studying together. "We are working on building an Islamic environment where women could study... it might take some time," he added. However, he did not specify when girls might return to school and university classes across the country. Also see | 'Don't politicise education and right to work:' Afghan women protest against Taliban government Blasting the decision, Heather Barr, the associate director of women's rights in the Human Rights Watch, said "This new order essentially moves... further in the direction of making women prisoners." It "shuts off opportunities for them to be able to move about freely, to travel to another city, to do business, (or) to be able to flee if they are facing violence in the home", Barr added. It comes despite the hardline Islamists seeking to project a moderate image internationally in a bid to restore aid suspended when the previous government imploded during the final stages of a US military withdrawal. Meanwhile, the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has issued a guidance that women seeking to travel long distances should not be offered road transport unless they are accompanied by a close male relative. Also read | Afghan women can't travel long distances without male relative: Taliban The Taliban have faced heavy criticism for keeping women and girls out of employment and education and excluding broad sections of Afghan society from the government. They have television dramas that included female actors and ordering women news presenters to wear "Islamic hijab". The Taliban's definition of the hijab, which can range from a hair covering to a face veil or full-body covering, is unclear, and most Afghan women already wear headscarves. The international community has accused them of trampling on human rights and, despite their promise of amnesty, targeting officials of the former administration. However, acting Afghan foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi said the government had restored peace and security and done much to address demands for more inclusiveness with respect for human rights, including the rights of women. "All must acknowledge that political isolation of Afghanistan is not beneficial for anyone, therefore it is imperative that all support the prevailing stability and back it both politically and economically," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan education minister says co-education is against Islamic values

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