In Afghanistan, a group of women took to the streets of Kabul Wednesday to protest the Taliban’s ban on women and girls attending universities. Taliban forces arrested five demonstrators and three journalists, and some of the women said they were beaten by security forces. Guards also prevented hundreds of women from entering their colleges a day after the ban was announced. This is Maryam, a student at Kabul University who was turned away from her campus on Wednesday.

Maryam: “When I got close to the university, I saw a strange environment. Taliban Humvees were parked at the entrance gate, and the Taliban were behaving so badly, telling us, 'Return to your homes. Girls have no right to study anymore.' This situation has a very bad impact on every female student.”

Dozens of male university professors have resigned to protest the ban, and some male students reportedly refused to take their exams.