The Taliban have made the rural Islamic custom of purdah, under which women are isolated from men who are not relatives and cannot leave home unless escorted by a close male relative, mandatory even in urban areas. The Taliban also ban women from working, thereby curtailing not only income, but also female-based relief services. In 1997, the Taliban largely banned female medical workers from working in Kabul's hospitals and restricted female patients, who must be accompanied by a close male relative to be treated, to a few poorly equipped hospitals. As a result, most women in Kabul have little or no access to health care. In June 1998, the Taliban ordered the closure of more than 100 home schools, as well as vocational centers for widows and other women in Kabul.
Education is also poor for boys.
Teachers are paid infrequently, and many fired female teachers have not been replaced. Freedoms of speech, press, and association are sharply restricted. The Taliban closed the only television station in 1996, but air propaganda and issue decrees over Radio Voice of Shari'a. In July, the Taliban banned televisions, videocassette recorders, videos, and satellite dishes and began to destroy those found in shops. There are few, if any, civic institutions and no known trade unions.