Taliban leader claims Afghan women given ‘comfortable and prosperous life’

The leader of the Taliban said his government in Afghanistan has taken the necessary steps for the betterment of women’s lives (Ebrahim Noroozi/AP)

The supreme leader of the Taliban has claimed his government has taken the necessary steps for the betterment of women’s lives in Afghanistan, where women are banned from public life and work and girls’ education is severely curtailed.

The statement from Hibatullah Akhundzada was made public on Sunday ahead of the Eid al-Adha holiday, which will be celebrated later this week in Afghanistan and other Islamic countries.