Afghan women take Taliban pledge with pinch of salt

The Taliban say under their rule women can study and work "within the framework of Islamic law" - but what that will mean in practice is not clear.

Will women be able to vote, or hold political office? Could they be judges or sports personalities? No answers so far, reports BBC.

When Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid was pushed to give more details, he palmed the answer off to the “new administration who will make the rules”.

He did, however, vaguely say women would be "needed" in the health, law, education and policing sectors. But to what capacity was again not made clear.

"I don’t believe what they’re saying," was the reaction of one woman in Kabul, who watched Mujahid speak on TV.

"It’s a ruse, and we’re being lured outside to be punished. I refuse to study or work under their laws," was the reaction from another woman, who was too afraid to leave home.

Despite major mistrust and scepticism from Afghan women, some have surprisingly welcomed the Taliban’s approach to women’s rights.

One woman told me: "If we’re able to work and get educated, that’s the definition of freedom for me, that’s my red line. That red line is not crossed by the Taliban yet.

"As long as my right to study and work is protected, I don’t mind wearing a hijab. I live in an Islamic country and I’m willing to accept the Islamic dress code as long as it’s not a burka, though, because that’s not an Islamic dress code.”