UN officials said they would continue to pay wages to the bakers, but could now do nothing to help the customers. They said most of these families survived on bread and tea. Without the bread, they were not sure what they would do. Women barred The Taleban believe all women should stay at home. They do make some exceptions in the state sector - they found it was impossible to run women's hospital wards, prisons or carry out airport security checks without female staff.
Aid agencies say they face the same problem.
If they are to keep to the Taleban's Islamic rules which forbid non-related men and women mixing, they have to employ some Afghan women staff. The order has put the UN in a difficult position. This is a drought year and many Afghans are facing hunger. At the same time, the UN is mandated to reach women as well as men. Officials are hoping they can work out a solution, but it is still possible the UN will now decide it can no longer work with the Taleban in Afghanistan.