"I give you my words as the chancellor of Kabul University," said Mohammad Ashraf Ghairat in a tweet. "As long as real Islamic environment is not provided for all, women will not be allowed to come to universities or work. Islam first."

The newly announced policy of the university echoed Taliban's previous rule from 1996 to 2001 in which strict policies were implemented for Afghan women. They were not allowed in public places without accompanying a male relative, were beaten for disobeying and were kept away from education.

Despite the Taliban's interim all-male government's assurances that it would be more inclusive than its previous rule, the education policy is the latest encroachment on women's rights in Afghanistan since the Taliban seized power last month.

The new government announced earlier this month that female students in Afghanistan can study at university, but classes must be segregated and head coverings are mandatory.

However, in another move the Taliban replaced the Women's Affairs Ministry with the Ministries of Prayer and Guidance and the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

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