Now Taliban bars women from outdoor dining at restaurants in crackdown on gender mixing in Afghan province 

• Official confirmed women and families banned from restaurant gardens in Herat
• Latest crackdown on women's rights follows complaints over genders mixing

Since Taliban swept to power, woman have had several restrictions imposed 

The Taliban have banned families and women from outdoor dining at restaurants in an Afghanistan province, adding to a slew of restrictions imposed since they swept to power.

An official confirmed today that women and families will be restricted from restaurants with gardens and green spaces in the northwestern province of Herat.

The latest crackdown on women's rights follows complaints from religious scholars and members of the public about men and women mixing together in such places, he said.

When the Taliban came to power in August 2021 amid the US pull-out from Afghanistan, the fundamentalist group claimed there would not be a return to the hardline policies of their predecessors who ruled from 1996 - 2001.

However, in the months that followed, women's rights were gradually rolled back as latest generation of Taliban hardliners ratcheted up restrictions.

The Taliban have banned families and women from outdoor dining at restaurants in the Herat province of Afghanistan. Pictured: A restaurant in a park closed by the Taliban.

The Taliban have banned families and women from outdoor dining at restaurants in the Herat province of Afghanistan. Pictured: A restaurant in a park closed by the Taliban.

Since sweeping to power, the Taliban have imposed several restrictions on women. Pictured: Taliban fighters mark the first anniversary of their return to power in August last year.

Since taking over, they have shut girls out of classrooms beyond sixth grade, banned women from universities, most types of employment, including jobs at the United Nations. They are also prohibited from public spaces such as parks and gyms.