They argue their rules are in keeping with their intrepetation of Islam, although Afghanistan is the only Muslim country that prohibits girls from being educated.

Here is a timeline of their clampdown:

Aug 2021: The Taliban return

The Taliban return to power in Kabul on August 15 during the chaotic final exit of US-led foreign troops, ending a 20-year war and precipitating the collapse of the Western-backed government of President Ashraf Ghani.

The hardline Islamist group promises a softer rule than their first stint in power, from 1996 to 2001, saying they will honour human rights obligations, including those of women.

Sept 2021: Gender-segregated classrooms

The Taliban announce on September 12 that women can attend universities with gender-segregated entrances and classrooms, but they can only be taught by professors of the same sex or old men. Other restrictions include the wearing of hijabs as part of a compulsory dress code.

March 2022: Girls barred from school

On March 23 girls' secondary schools are supposed to re-open, but the Taliban rescind the directive and tens of thousands of teenagers are shut out and ordered to stay at home.

May 2022: Stay at home

Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada orders women on May 7 to fully cover themselves, including their faces, in public and generally stay at home. Women are also banned from inter-city travel without a male escort.

Aug 2022: Protests broken up

Taliban fighters beat women protesters chanting "bread, work and freedom" and fire into the air on August 13 to break up a demonstration outside the education ministry in Kabul.

The hardline Islamists also detain and beat journalists covering the protests.

Nov 2022: Parks out of bounds

Women are banned from entering parks, funfairs, gyms and public baths.

Dec 2022: Execution, floggings

The Taliban carry out their first public execution since returning to power, that of a convicted murderer who is shot dead on December 7 by his victim's father in western Farah province.

The next day, more than 1,000 people watch as 27 Afghans, including women, are flogged in Charikar in central Parwan province for a range of offences ranging from sodomy and deception to forgery and debauchery.

Floggings in public have since been regularly carried out in other provinces.

Dec 2022: No university for women

Armed guards stop hundreds of young women from entering university campuses on December 21, day after a terse release from the minister for higher education announces an order "suspending the education of females until further notice".