Taliban fighters pepperspray women’s rights rally

Taliban forces fired pepper spray at a group of women protesting in Kabul to demand rights to work and education. Since seizing control of the country by force in August, the Taliban authorities have imposed creeping restrictions, especially on women.

About 20 women gathered in front of Kabul University last Sunday, chanting “equality and justice” and carrying banners that read “women’s rights, human rights”, an AFP correspondent reported. The protest was dispersed by Taliban fighters. One woman had to be taken to hospital after the spray caused an allergic reaction. The hardline Islamist group have banned protests and have often intervened to forcefully break up rallies demanding rights for women.

The Taliban authorities have blocked female public sector employees from returning to work. Many secondary schools have still not reopened for girls and public universities are shut. Long-distance trips for women who are not accompanied by a close male relative have been banned.