March 8 is the International Day of Women and is being recognized in Afghanistan as many Afghans are deprived of their rights, including access to education and work.

The Islamic Emirate issued nearly 20 decrees against women during the last one and a half years.

The decrees faced strong reactions at the national and international levels.

“The imposed restrictions based on the decrees of the Taliban leadership regarding the education and work of women and their engagement in public and political life, is indeed restricting Afghanistan,” said Suraya Paikan, a human rights activist.

The women are currently banned from going to their schools and universities as well as from working at NGOs. There have been further restrictions on their visiting public spaces, including gyms and parks.

“The imposition of restrictions on education, educational centers and higher education of women, is not benefiting Afghanistan,” said Roh Gull Afghan, a human rights activist.

In reaction to these restrictions, the European Union announced on Tuesday that it has sanctioned two acting ministers of the caretaker Afghan government.

“The bitter experience of the past has proven that pressure on the Islamic Emirate’s officials doesn’t bring any result. The spirit of the Afghans is such that it does accept pressure,” said Xxxx, a political analyst.

The Islamic Emirate has yet to comment on the EU’s sanctions on its officials.

The Islamic Emirate said the demands of the international community are interference in the internal affairs of Afghanistan.