Taliban replace Afghan women's affairs ministry with virtue, vice deptt

In what depicts the true state of women under the new Taliban rule, the group seems to have closed down the women's affairs ministry and replaced it with a department, which used to once enforce strict religious doctrines.  

The Taliban’s true commitment towards women rights has come to light with this move.  

The sign at the ministry was removed on Friday. A sign for the ministry of virtue and vice was also put in its place.  

On social media, some videos also showed women employees outside the offices, urging the Taliban to let them return to work.  

Watch: Blow to women's rights in Taliban's Afghanistan

In another measure curbing women’s freedom in Afghanistan, the new Taliban government’s higher education minister Abdul Baqi Haqqani had earlier said that women in Afghanistan can continue to study in universities, but classrooms will be gender-segregated and Islamic dress is compulsory. The women will be allowed to study at post-graduate levels too.    

At a news conference, the minister laid out new policies days after Afghanistan's new rulers formed the government.  

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At this time, the whole world has been watching the new government’s actions closely to see is the group true to its words and the type of rule it imposes on the country this time.    

In the era of their last rule, girls and women were denied an education, and were totally excluded from public life.    

The Taliban have claimed to have changed, including in their attitudes towards women. But in recent days, they have used violence against women protesters demanding equal rights.    

(With inputs from agencies)