New order in Kabul: Women stay home, things will be replaced by men

This is the latest restrictions imposed on Afghanistan's women by the country's new and harsh Islamic government.

During their earlier rule in the 1990s, women were banned from education and work.

After occupying the country last month following the withdrawal of American forces, the Taliban said women's rights would be respected “within the framework of Islamic law”. But the Taliban favour a strict interpretation of Islam's legal system, or Sheriat law.

Since taking power, working women have been told to stay home until the security situation improves, and Taliban fighters have beaten women who protested the provisional government.

The Islamic group appears to have closed the women's affairs ministry and replaced it with a department that once implemented strict religious doctrines.

And this weekend, high school reopened, but only male boys and teachers were allowed back to classes. Taliban said they were working on reopening schools for girls.

According to Kabul Mayor, about a third of the city's 3,000 employees are women. He said some would continue to work.

For example, women work in women's toilets in town where men cannot go. But for positions men can meet, we have told those women to stay at home until the situation normalizes. Their salaries will be given”, he said.

On Sunday, there were minor protests outside the women's affairs ministry, while another group of women held a press conference seeking their rights.

One of those protesting at the ministry said “we don't want this ministry removed. The removal of women means the removal of human beings”.

In a particular development, the Independent Commission of Human Rights in Afghanistan said it had been unable to fulfill its duties since taking control of Taliban.

The organisation said in a statement that its buildings, vehicles, and computers were all taken from Taliban.