The Taliban has backtracked on their promise to guarantee the rights of girls to be educated and given other freedoms, returning to their previous policies when they were last in power.

The group, which took over Kabul 16 months ago, argues its rules are in keeping with their interpretation of Islam, although Afghanistan is the only Muslim country that prohibits girls from being educated.

Here is a timeline of its clampdown:

August 2021: The Taliban returns

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

The group promises to give Afghans more freedoms than their first stint in power from 1996 to 2001, saying it will honour human rights obligations, including those of women.

September 2021: Gender-segregated classrooms

The Taliban announces on September 12 last year 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 included the wearing of hijabs as part of a compulsory dress code.

Read the full article about the Taliban restricting women's rights and education at Al Jazeera.