The UN special rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, in a Zoom session highlighted the restrictions on “how the Taliban have really clamped down and imposed a system of widespread discrimination against women and girls.”

The session was held by the Conservative Friends of Afghanistan under the name of "Gender apartheid" and the human rights crisis in Afghanistan.

“They [Taliban] have closed schools and universities and schools above six grade for girls and have also restricted women’s ability in employment,” Bennett said.

But the Islamic Emirate’s spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said that the rights of women are ensured in Afghanistan and that 23 percent of the women are working in various organizations.

“Unfortunately, Bennett's reports have always been based on selfishness and ignored the realities. For example, he has mentioned that women have been eliminated while it is not true. Currently, [women] are active around 23.40 percent within the Islamic Emirate system. Some of them are working and receive salaries,” he said.

However, Suraya Paikan, a women’s rights activist, expressed the challenges that the Afghan women are facing as: “The government of the Taliban has yet to be ready to take the decision about the rights of women, social issues, women’s work and education."

Since the Islamic Emirate came to power, the girls and women in Afghanistan have been banned from going to schools, universities, work in NGOs and recreation areas.