Working women in Afghanistan must stay at home until proper systems are in place to ensure their safety, a Taliban spokesman has told reporters.
A Taliban fighter walks past a beauty salon with images of women defaced using spray paint in Shar-e-Naw in Kabul on 18 August 2021. Photo: AFP
"It's a very temporary procedure," spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.
The Taliban, which enforced a strict version of Islamic law when they ran Afghanistan before 2001, retook full control of the country nine days ago.
The UN has highlighted "credible" reports of abuses by the Taliban, notably restrictions on women.
UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet said on Tuesday that women's rights were a "fundamental red line".
In his news conference in Kabul on Tuesday, the Taliban spokesman also addressed the US-led evacuation from the capital, Kabul.
Afghans should not try to go to the airport, Mujahid said, citing the chaotic situation there.
The US should stop "encouraging" them to leave as Afghanistan needs their talents, he added.
US troops control Kabul airport from where at least 70,700 people have been evacuated so far. Mujahid reaffirmed the Taliban's position that the operation should end by 31 August.
On the situation of Afghan women, he said that any restrictions would be short-lived.
"Our security forces are not trained (in) how to deal with women - how to speak to women (for) some of them," Mr Mujahid said. "Until we have full security in place... we ask women to stay home."
Women work in a tailor workshop at the Khadija Kubra Women's Association for Culture in Kandahar in September 2020. Photo: AFP
As well as expressing concern over women's rights, Ms Bachelet also said she had received reports of the recruitment of child soldiers and summary executions by the Taliban.
She was speaking at an emergency meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. Afterwards, the council endorsed a resolution affirming its "unwavering commitment" to the rights of women and girls.
But the resolution fell short of what many human rights groups had called for - in particular, it did not recommend the appointment of a special UN investigator for Afghanistan.
Since their return to power, the militants have tried to convey a more restrained image, promising rights for women and girls and some freedom of speech.
Biden says evacuation must end soon
Speaking after talks with leaders of the other G7 leading industrial countries on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden said was "on pace" to meet a 31 August deadline for evacuations.
The Taliban have opposed any extension to the evacuation deadline.
The UK, France and Germany have called for an extension to the 31 August deadline set by the US to leave Afghanistan
"The sooner we finish the better," Biden said. Some American troops have already been withdrawn, US media report - although evacuations are not affected.
Biden said the airlift had to come to end soon because of an increasing threat from the Islamic State group in Afghanistan.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who chaired the talks, said Britain would continue to evacuate people "until the last moment". He also urged the Taliban to allow Afghans to leave beyond the deadline.
- BBC