We were told that these guidelines would be beneficial and we were told that these guidelines would probably be forthcoming by March,” Griffiths said.

But the Islamic Emirate’s spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, said that ban on females working in the NGOs is not aiming to take a stand against women but is a Sharia issue.

“The goal is not to stand against women. But the goal is to implement Islamic law to preserve the pride and dignity of Afghan women,” he said.

The restrictions on Afghan women have been repeatedly criticized by the international community.

Political experts and women’s rights activists said that the restrictions on women undermined the relations of the Islamic Emirate with the international community.

“The policies of the Islamic Emirate about education and work of women have caused problems for the Afghans inside and outside of the country. It has almost isolated the Islamic Emirate. It caused problems against the recognition as well,” said Mohammad Hassan Haqyar, a political analyst.

After the Islamic Emirate came to power in Afghanistan, more than 20 edicts were issued about women.