The United States has announced new sanctions against the Taliban as punishment for its repressive treatment of women and girls in Afghanistan.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken unveiled the new visa restriction policy for current or former members of the Taliban and others involved in repressing women through restrictive policies and violence.
Mr Blinken made the announcement on the United Nation's International Day of the Girl Child, which marks its tenth anniversary this year.
"As a grim example, for more than a year, Afghanistan remains the only country in the world where girls are systemically barred from attending school beyond the sixth grade, with no return date in sight," he said.
After coming back to power in August 2021 following the retreat of US forces, the hardline Taliban has barred girls from attending secondary school. But women are allowed to attend university.
Speaking earlier, Secretary General of the UN António Guterres said that he was deeply concerned about the exclusion of girls from school in Afghanistan.
He said it was "deeply damaging" not just to the girls themselves, but the country as a whole.
"I once again urge the Taliban to let girls learn," he said.
A recent suicide bombing on a Kabul classroom killed and wounded dozens of pupils as they prepared for exams.
The UN has put the death toll at 53, including 46 girls and young women.
