According to the Taliban, Afghan women seeking to travel long distances by road should be offered transport only if a male relative accompanies them. 

The directive, issued on Sunday, is the latest control on women's rights since the Islamist group detained power in August.

Many secondary schools have been shut for girls, and most women are banned from working. 

Various humanitarian groups have even gone far as to say that the latest crackdown on Afghan women comes close to making them' prisoners.'

The latest directive, issued by the Taliban's Ministry of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, said women willing to travel more than 45 miles (72km) should be accompanied by their close male family member.

The document also states that the vehicle owners refuse rides to women for not wearing Islamic face coverings or hijabs, although it does not say which type of covering to use. Most Afghan women have already started using headscarves. 

The Taliban have also banned the playing of music in vehicles.

After taking power following the departure of US and allied forces, the Taliban have made most female workers stay at home and made sure the secondary schools are banned for girls and to open only for boys and male teachers.

The Taliban say the restrictions are "temporary" and only in a place to ensure all workplace and learning environments are "safe" for women and girls. During their previous rule in the 1990s, women were barred from education and working.

Donor nations have stated to the Taliban that they must respect women's rights before restoring financial aid. 

The country faces a deep humanitarian and economic crisis which is made worse by the removal of international support after the group seized power.