Washington: In response to Taliban prohibitions on women's employment and education in Afghanistan, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced new visa restrictions against the Taliban on Wednesday.
According to Blinken, who issued the statement, "I am taking action today to impose additional visa restrictions on certain current or former Taliban members, members of non-state security groups, and other individuals believed to be responsible for, or complicit in, repressing women and girls in Afghanistan."
According to Blinked, the Taliban's decision to prohibit women from working with NGOs and attending universities was one of the repressive measures.
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The Taliban have imposed strict limitations on Afghan women since regaining power in August 2021, prohibiting them from holding public office, going to secondary and higher education institutions, or visiting parks.
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They forbade NGOs from working with Afghan women at the end of December, which caused a number of organisations to halt their operations.
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In order to "make it clear to the Taliban that their actions will carry significant costs and close the path to improved relations with the international community," Blinken continued, Washington will continue to work in coordination with allies.