By: Rukhshana Media

The Taliban have banned women and girls from using urban transport without a male chaperone in western Herat province on Sunday, December 25, women in the province confirm to Rukhshana Media.

According to the women, they have to walk if they don’t have a close male escort.

A 25-year-old woman, who does not want to be named tells Rukhshana Media that she was forced to get out of the vehicle when she was on her way to her relative’s house and the driver was beaten.

She says she walked for 40 minutes.

“I hope the dark days will end soon,” she adds. “The Taliban cannot deprive us of work, education, and movement.”

Another 27-year-old woman, who also does not want to be named, says that the Taliban insulted the driver and forced her to get out of the vehicle when she was on her way to Herat city.

She adds that the Taliban have warned the drivers in Herat to refrain from offering transport to women without a male escort.

Yesterday, the Taliban dispersed a women’s protest in Herat using water cannons.

The Taliban prohibited women and girls from going to public and private universities and working in non-governmental organizations, which sparked widespread reactions in the country.