KABUL, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- The first-ever female prison separated from male inmates, constructed with Italian assistance, was formally inaugurated in Afghanistan's capital Kabul on Thursday.

    Constructed by United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC) with 1 million U.S. dollars financial support of Italian government, the three story building would accommodate women inmates held in different jails.

    At present all the 92 women languishing in Kabul's main jail the Pul-e-Charkhi would be shifted to the newly constructed Women Detention Center, Abdul Salam Asmat, the director general of Afghanistan's prisons told Xinhua.

    In total, 243 women along with 175 of their children, according to Asmat, have been held in Afghanistan's jails in different provinces.

    He also said the government would continue to construct separate detention centers for women in different provinces of the country.

    Speaking on the occasion, Ms. Sarah, an official of the Italian embassy to Afghanistan, described women a vulnerable segment in the post-Taliban nation and adding all steps will be taken in order to prevent illegal detention of women.

    More than 11,500 persons, according to Afghan officials, have been held in jails on different charges across the country.

    Afghanistan Minister for Justice Sarwar Danish in his speech expressed his gratitude to the government of Italy for its contribution in rebuilding the war-torn country's judiciary system.