Taliban

Aid workers in Afghanistan claim the Taliban is using threats and violence to control the way aid is distributed at a time when aid is more critical than ever.

This start-up aims to provide both food and economic opportunity to Afghan women. But success means first overcoming economic crises, cultural taboos and Taliban interference.

The Taliban has banned Afghan women working for the U.N. or other aid agencies. The repercussions could be devastating for programs in which women play a vital role.

Matiullah Wesa is the founder and president of Pen Path — a local nongovernmental group that travels across Afghanistan with a mobile school and library. He was reportedly detained on Monday.

The December ban on college education for women has led some to turn to online options. But that pption comes with its own set of problems.

Three major international aid groups on Sunday suspended work in Afghanistan following a decision by the country's Taliban rulers to ban women from working at non-governmental organizations.

Early this week, the leaders of Afghanistan declared that women could not attend university. Now there are fears the any education for girls is in jeopardy as some female teachers are sent home.

Teachers report security forces barging into classrooms and shouting at girls to go home, while the international community swiftly condems the Taliban's move.

On Tuesday, the Taliban announced the women could no longer attend university. One educator in Afghanistan called it "gender apartheid." The highest grade girls will be able to attain now is grade 6.

Women are banned from private and public universities until further notice, a Taliban government spokesman said, the latest edict cracking down on their rights and freedoms.