A number of female health workers in Kandahar told Afghanistan International that the Taliban's morality authorities have warned them not to go to work without a male relative.

According to them, the Taliban has sent their group members to health centres to follow up on this issue.

Taliban members visited all health facilities in the province and warned that female employees should not be allowed to enter the workplace without a male relative, local sources told Afghanistan International on Monday.

In the past three days, they have visited health centres in Mirbazar, the 6th, 9th and 2nd districts, and Kundapur in Kandahar city.

Female health workers said that sometimes the men of the family are not at home, and the Taliban do not accept their younger brothers as mahrams.

Some female health workers said that the ombudsman had asked them to carry a special card for the health centre with their details and that of their mahram, or else they would have to leave their jobs.

These employees complained about the Taliban's harsh behaviour and asked them to consider their family problems and restrictions.

The Taliban's Office for the Promotion of Virtue in Kandahar on Monday explained the new law for the promotion of virtue for employees, and emphasised on the implementation of this law.

Recently, it has been reported that there are no female health workers in many districts of Kandahar and many women are being transferred to Kandahar Central Hospital.

Earlier in September, the Taliban's office of Public Health Advocacy and Guidance in Kandahar announced new restrictions for female health workers in a letter.

According to this letter, female employees must wear a special hijab and be accompanied by a mahram when they go to work.

The Office for the Promotion of Virtue in Kandahar has instructed all female health workers to have a permit from their office when going to districts, in addition to having a mahram.

Previously, only a public health directorate card was enough for female employees to travel.