Aid groups press Taliban on gender equality

Jan Egeland, who spoke to the media before taking part in Tuesday's (January 25) discussions, said it was unacceptable that their female staff in Afghanistan had to have a male relative accompanying them when meeting those they were helping.

"That is detrimental to our work," he said.

Egeland said his main message to the Taliban was that some of the promises they had made not been fulfilled in some of the country's provinces.

The Taliban delegation, led by acting foreign minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, will not be granted meetings with Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt or other cabinet-level ministers, but with Foreign Ministry officials and they may meet with a junior minister.