UN Afghanistan head meets Taliban over ban on female aid workers

At least seven international NGOs have suspended aid, saying they cannot work without female staff

The acting head of the UN mission in Afghanistan met Taliban leaders on Monday in a bid to persuade them to withdraw their ban on all women working for aid agencies.

Ramiz Alakbarov met the Taliban's economy minister, Din Mohammad Hanif, in Kabul, telling him that millions of Afghans need humanitarian assistance and removing barriers is vital".