The Taliban says its ban on female students from universities is due to their “improper” dressing.
Female university students were turned away from campuses on Wednesday and the higher education ministry said their access would be suspended “until further notice”.
Acting higher Education Minister Nida Mohammad Nadim, in his first comments on the matter, told Afghan state broadcaster RTA that several issues had prompted the decision, including female students not wearing appropriate Islamic attire and interaction between students of different genders taking place.
“They didn’t observe Hijab (Islamic female dress code), they were coming with the clothes that mostly women wear to go to a wedding,” he said.
The move prompted strong condemnation from foreign governments and criticism from some Afghans, sparking protests in Afghan cities.
Five women taking part in a protest in the Afghan capital, Kabul, against the ban have already been arrested.
Three journalists were also arrested. Protests are also understood to have taken place in the Takhar province.
The new ban was implemented with immediate effect by the higher education minister on Tuesday, with public and private universities ordered to bar women from attending.
Guards stopped hundreds of women from entering universities on Wednesday – a day after the ban was announced.
The education ministry said its scholars had evaluated the university curriculum and environment, and attendance for girls would be suspended until “a suitable environment” was provided.
Since the Taliban took over, students and professors say university classes have been separated by gender and female students have adjusted their attire to meet instructions such as covering their faces and wearing dark colours.
