The speed of the militants' advance caught locals off guard.
Some women said they had no time to buy a burqa to comply with Taliban rules that women should be covered up and accompanied by a male relative when they leave the house.
To Afghanistan's women, the flowing cloth represents the sudden and devastating loss of rights gained over 20 years -- the right to work, study, move and even live in peace -- that they fear will never be regained.
A powerful report of a horrific new reality for our sisters in #Afghanistan, by my colleagues Anna Coren, Sandi Sidhu and Hilary Whiteman.