The Taliban seem to have closed this Friday the Ministry of Women's Affairs to replace it with that of the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice, feared for its fundamentalism during their first reign, twenty years ago.
Workers were seen installing a sign bearing the image of the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice in the former Women's Affairs building in the capital.
Although they insisted they would govern more moderately than in 1996-2001, the Taliban did not allow most women to return to work.
They introduced rules about what they can wear to college.
No woman was among the ministers of the new Taliban government announced two weeks ago.
Women's fundamental rights are disappearing
Although still marginalized, Afghan women have acquired fundamental rights over the past 20 years, especially in cities, becoming parliamentarians, judges, pilots and police officers.
Hundreds of thousands of them have entered the labor market - often out of necessity, as many have become widows or are supporting now disabled husbands after two decades of conflict.
But since their return to power on August 15, the Taliban have shown no willingness to guarantee their rights.
Islamists say women have been ordered to stay at home for their own safety, but will be allowed to work once proper segregation is in place.
During the first Taliban rule, women were largely excluded from public life.
They could only leave their homes if they were accompanied by a chaperone.
Agents from the Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice were known to whip women who walked alone.
They were also responsible for strictly enforcing other strict interpretations of Islam, such as the obligation to attend prayers and the prohibition on men shaving.
World
Afghanistan: MEPs advocate special visa program for Afghan women
World
Afghanistan: Panchir under the Taliban, valley of ghost villages
Women
Womens rights
Terrorism
Taliban
Afghanistan
World