A group of about 20 women marched from the vicinity of the Ministry of Education to the Ministry of Finance.
Wearing colorful headscarves, they chanted slogans like “don’t politicize education” and carried banners that read “We have no right to study or work” and “No work, poverty, hunger”.
Taliban authorities allowed the women to march freely for about an hour and a half, AFP journalists observed.
However, a Taliban fighter hit a foreign journalist with the butt of a rifle and threw him out of the demonstration, while another threatened and kicked him.
At least two more journalists were beaten while walking away, fleeing from Taliban fighters who threaten them with raised fists and kicking.
The women were not physically attacked during the protest, but on several occasions the Taliban verbally rebuked them. In the end, the participants decided to disperse and none were detained, an organizer told AFP.
Zahra Mohamadi, one of the protest organizers, told AFP that the women had decided to go out into the streets despite the risk involved.
“This is the situation: the Taliban do not respect anything, not to journalists – neither local nor foreign – nor to women,” he said.
“Schools must reopen for girls. But the Taliban have taken away our rights,” he added.
Girls’ secondary schools have been closed for more than a month, and many women have been banned from going back to work since the Taliban came to power in mid-August.
“My message to all girls and women is this: ‘Do not be afraid of the Taliban, even if your families do not allow you to leave the house. Do not be afraid. Get out, sacrifice yourself, fight for your rights,” Mohammadi said.
“We have to make this sacrifice so that the next generation can have peace,” he added.
Some of the Taliban fighters escorting the march wore camouflage combat gear such as bulletproof vests, helmets and knee pads, and others wore traditional Afghan clothing.
They were armed with American-made M16 assault rifles and AK-47s.
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