Taliban Bans Afghan Girls and Women from School

by Anosh Sediqi and Naveed Ahmad

In

2001, after eleven years of rule, the Taliban government was toppled. The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan was established in its place.

School doors at all levels swung open for Afghan girls and women.

A vastly more-even playing field was created. Girls and boys studied the new curriculum side-by-side. Academic rigor was demanded of everyone. Highstakes tests were taken. And, everyone had the same chance at acceptance to one of Afghanistan’s exceptional free public universities.

Punctuating this extraordinary shift, a young Afghan woman scored the highest marks among 197,000 students who took the entrance examination in 2020.

In short, for young Afghan women, the future was full of promise.

All that progress, however, proved short-lived.

On August 15, 2021, the Taliban entered the city of Kabul, taking back full control of government, financial institutions, policing and schools.

Would this Taliban Government be Different?

Two days into The Taliban takeover, there were signs that things might be different this time around. Ministries were reopened. Markets started working again. People felt comfortable leaving their homes.

Boys were able to attend school at all grades. Girls were allowed to go to elementary school. But, there was no news about secondary schools for girls or university for women.

In August 2021, the Taliban announced that women could attend universities- filling countless young women and girls with hope that the Taliban had adapted to the 21st Century.

But, still no news about secondary schools.

Girls Banned from Secondary School

On March 23, 2022, the Taliban made its decision. Girls were banned from attending secondary school.

When thousands of girls and women showed up at their schools on the first day of term, they were turned away at the gates.

Women were still allowed to attend university and college. Yet, with only a 5th grade education, what chance did most have of competing with men for coveted college acceptance?

Girls Banned from Colleges and Universities

On Dec. 20,2022 the Taliban morality ministry issued an order banning women from all public and private universities in Afghanistan.

A fews days later, in a separate decision, women were told not to work in national and international organiza- tions, including aid agencies.

Speaking Out

In late December, 2022, protestors assembled outside of Kabul University, holding banners and chanting slogans such as, “Education is our essential right!”and “Universities should be reopened to Women!”

The demonstration came to an abrupt end when the Taliban cracked down with physical intimidation and arrests.

Following the announcement to ban women from colleges and university , the United Nations and several other countries and international agencies condemned this decision, called it “a setback” for this entire nation.

No Sign of Relenting

Almost a year after the ban on secondary schools, the Taliban looks no closer to lifting restrictions on girls and women. In fact, given recent restrictions on girls in public parks, amusement parks and transportation, the Taliban seems poised to continue their hard-line stance against women’s rights.

Despite early promises to rule more modestly and respect the rights of women and minorities, the Taliban has widely implemented their strict misinterpretation of Sharia law.