Taliban bans women from universities

(BBC) - The Taliban has banned women from universities in Afghanistan, sparking international condemnation and despair among young people in the country.

The higher education minister made the announcement on Tuesday, saying it would take immediate effect.

The ban further restricts women's education - girls have already been excluded from secondary schools since the Taliban returned last year.

Western countries have demanded all year that the Taliban improve female education if they wish to be formally recognised as Afghanistan's government.

The United Nations also said it was "deeply concerned".

The Taliban's leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and his inner circle have been against modern education - particularly for girls and women.

The Taliban had promised a softer rule after seizing power last year following the US' withdrawal from the country. However the hardline Islamists have continued to roll back women's rights and freedoms in the country.

The ban on tertiary education follows rules set last month, where women were banned from parks, gyms and public baths in the capital.