In November of last year, the Ministry of Higher Education under the Taliban administration issued a written directive to both private and public universities, instructing them to “suspend” the education of girls until further notice.
In November of last year, the Ministry of Higher Education under the Taliban administration issued a written directive to both private and public universities, instructing them to “suspend” the education of girls until further notice.
It has been a year since the Taliban prohibited women in Afghanistan from pursuing higher education in universities. These young women, who had hoped for the chance to receive education and pursue their careers, unfortunately, find their aspirations put on hold.
In November of last year, the Ministry of Higher Education under the Taliban administration issued a written directive to both private and public universities, instructing them to “suspend” the education of girls until further notice.
The ban on education imposed by the Taliban has led to the deprivation of millions of girls from attending schools and universities. Despite international condemnation of this prohibition, no concrete actions have been taken to provide hope for the reopening of schools and universities for girls in Afghanistan.
Despite the ban on formal education, some deprived girls in Afghanistan have been seeking alternative avenues for learning. These include online education, scholarships, hidden schools within homes, language centers, and engagement in visual arts such as painting and drawing.
“My education and future are now just a lingering dream for me,” said Medina, who is a journalism student at Kabul University, and she contemplates completing her education because, as she puts it, if she could continue her studies like boys, she would. She works day and night to secure an independent future and hopes to create her desired goal.
Bashir Ahmad Mohammadi, a recent graduate in communication and journalism from Kabul University, voiced his disappointment and sadness over the exclusion of girls from higher education.
In an interview with Khaama Press, he expressed concern about the impact on the country’s intellectual growth and talent development, emphasizing the role of women as future builders of the nation.
Despite UNESCO reporting that the number of female students in Afghan universities reached 103,854 in 2021, the ban on girls’ university attendance in 2023 resulted in a complete drop to zero, indicating a stark reversal and the profound impact of the prohibition on women’s education in Afghanistan.
The United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education has called for the International Criminal Court to investigate and bring charges against the Taliban for their violation of fundamental rights of Afghan women and girls.
Special Envoy Gordon Brown emphasized that the denial of education to Afghan girls and employment opportunities to Afghan women constitutes gender discrimination, which should be classified as a crime against humanity and pursued by the International Criminal Court.
Brown, the former British prime minister who now serves as the United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education, made this announcement on the second anniversary of the Taliban’s takeover in Afghanistan.
The envoy stated that he is in contact with the ICC and has shared the legal opinion with court officials.
He urged the ICC to initiate an investigation and pursue charges against those responsible for denying education to Afghan girls and employment to Afghan women.
In addition to his call for ICC action, Brown urged Muslim nations to send a delegation to Kandahar, Afghanistan, to meet with Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada and his associates. He appealed to them to encourage the Taliban to lift the bans on education and work, emphasizing that these bans have no basis in the Quran or Islam.
UNICEF is in talks with the Taliban to sketch out the steps in possibly handing over its education programs in Afghanistan. It added that classes will continue to run during this transitional period.
This stems from unconfirmed reports that the Taliban have told international organizations to be no longer involved in education projects. The Taliban has not responded to a request for comment and the Afghan Ministry of Education has yet to confirm the policy, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, UNICEF shared that the education ministry has assured them that community-based classes, which educate 500,000 students, will remain open while discussions are ongoing.
As the lead agency for education in Afghanistan, UNICEF has been engaged in constructive talks with the de facto Ministry of Education. Samantha Mort, UNICEF’s spokesperson for Afghanistan, expressed appreciation for the commitment from the de facto minister to keep all classes running while discussions are held on timelines and practicalities.
