The Promise To Place Women In The Cabinet, Taliban: Certain Positions Needed

JAKARTA - The Afghan government formed by the Taliban said it was working to reopen secondary school education for girls, after previously only allowing boys, although it did not say when.

The Taliban say they have changed since the 1996-2001 government, when they banned women from leaving their homes without male relatives and closed schools for girls.

Last week, they announced they would reopen secondary schools, not for girls but for boys, sparking skepticism.

"For schools (for girls), the Ministry of Education is working hard to provide a foundation for the education of high school students as soon as possible, procedures are being worked out, and it is hoped that this will be done, God willing," Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid told reporters at a news conference in Kabul. , citing Reuters September 21.

In contrast to secondary education, young girls in primary school have continued their studies in different classes. Separately, the Taliban also announced the appointment of several deputy ministers, although none of them were women.

Amnesty International on Tuesday released a briefing on the slump in human rights since the Taliban took over Afghanistan, saying some women's rights are under threat, while protests on the issue have been violently suppressed.

Mujahid told a news conference that work was underway on impeding women's ability to work, without providing details.

"We are trying to strengthen the cabinet further and God willing, women will be appointed to certain positions in the necessary sections, and one day we will announce (their names) here," he concluded.