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

The United States will take steps toincreasepressureon Afghanistan'sTalibangovernment toreversesome of its recent decisions restricting the rights ofwomenandgirlsif the hardline group shows no sign of rescinding the actions on its own.

"We've addressed it directly with theTaliban," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a briefing on Monday. "We have a number of tools that, if we feel these won't bereversed, these won't be undone, that we are prepared to move forward with."

He didnotelaborate on the possible steps or indicate how the group, which has already implemented policies curbing 20 years of gains forgirls' andwomen's rights, might have a change of heart.

TheTalibanon Saturday orderedwomento 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 theTaliban's previous 1996-2001 rule.

Watch |South Asia Diary: Taliban deny driving license to women

The international community has made the education ofgirlsa key demand for any future recognition of theTalibanadministration, which took over the country in August as foreign forces withdrew.

Despite that, theTalibanhas restrictedgirlsandwomenfrom working and limited their travel unless accompanied by a close male relative. Mostgirlswere 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 toincreasepressureon theTalibantoreversesome of thesedecisions, 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 onUSsoil - half of which the Biden administration is seeking to free up to help the Afghan people, the administration has said.

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.

USSpecial Representative for Afghanistan Tom West expressed "deep concern" over the Saturday decision in a series of tweets, while theUSAmbassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said it was an "unconscionable" move.

Mostwomenin Afghanistan wear a headscarf for religious reasons but many in urban areas such as Kabul donotcover their faces.