The Taliban's Restrictions on Women Risk Deepening Afghanistan's Crises

The Taliban's implementation of further restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan will likely complicate prospects for additional international aid, sustaining instability and worsening crises in the country. On March 25, the Taliban reportedly stopped dozens of women -- including some dual nationals -- who were not accompanied by an adult male relative from boarding their flights at Kabul International Airport. Similar rules mandating women be accompanied by a male guardian have reportedly been implemented in other contexts, such as seeing a doctor or traveling in a taxi. These reports follow the Taliban's last-minute March 23 reversal of its promise to allow girls who have passed grade six to return to class, prohibiting their return until supposedly ''a comprehensive plan'' on girls' education could be developed ''according to Sharia [law] and Afghan culture.'' ...