USA, UN chief react to Taliban's latest order banning women from university education

Taliban's latest diktat further curbing the rights of women has invited sharp criticism from the United States of America and the United Nations Secretary General.

Taliban on 20 December 2022 banned women from accessing university-level education.

The US called the move "indefensible" and "deplorable", and said that it would further alienate the Taliban from the international community.

"The United States is in touch with our partners and allies on this issue. We will continue to take steps to advance our shared efforts to support Afghan women and girls and provide robust humanitarian support to the people of Afghanistan," White House NSC spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement.

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Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply alarmed" by the Taliban's decision, and warned of a "devastating impact" on Afghanistan's future.

(With agency inputs)