Women take Kabul University entrance tests

Young women have taken exams competing for places at Kabul University.

The Taliban had banned the education of women and imposed lengthy prison sentences to those who dared to teach girls.

The demand for places by both men and women was so heavy that police armed with grenade launchers were called in to calm scuffles that broke out among the waiting crowd.

Many of the would-be students did not make it through the front door, and were left waiting outside with their faces pressed up against the glass.

The university principal, Gholan Manten Dariz, said he was glad to see "half of society" returning to the classroom.

Despite continuous crackdowns by Taliban police, a small number of women managed to attend secret home schools and gain enough knowledge to take the admissions exams.

"For years I couldn't attend school. I had to educate myself illegally," said Jalelah Salimy, one of the women taking the test. "And now I'm very happy to be here."