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Afghan Girls Face Education Crisis Under Taliban Rule

Afghan girls attend a religious school in Kabul on Aug. 11, 2022. | Ebrahim Noroozi/AP

In Kabul, Afghanistan, the dreams of many young girls have been shattered as the Taliban’s restrictive policies on education continue to impact their lives. Following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops in September 2021, the Taliban declared that girls were prohibited from pursuing education beyond the sixth grade. This ban was further extended to universities in December 2022, defying international criticism and warnings about the potential consequences for the Taliban’s legitimacy.

Thirteen-year-old Bahara Rustam recently attended her last class at Bibi Razia School, acknowledging that her education was coming to an abrupt end. Despite the education ban, she, along with other girls, is determined to continue learning by studying at home. However, the lack of a graduation ceremony at Bibi Razia School underscored the harsh reality faced by these young girls.

In a separate part of Kabul, Setayesh Sahibzada, also 13, expressed sadness and frustration about the uncertain future that lies ahead. Having aspired to become a teacher, Setayesh laments that the education ban prevents her from pursuing her dreams.

While the Taliban has indicated that girls can attend religious schools (madrassas), which were traditionally boys-only, there are concerns about the existence of a standardized curriculum that includes modern subjects. U.N. special envoy Roza Otunbayeva recently voiced her apprehension, emphasizing the alarming trend of a generation of Afghan girls falling behind with each passing day.

Analyst Muhammad Saleem Paigir warns of the potential disastrous consequences of excluding women and girls from education, stressing that illiteracy hinders freedom and prosperity.

The Taliban’s restrictions on women extend beyond education, with women being barred from public spaces and most jobs, effectively confining them to their homes.

This situation highlights a critical human rights issue and poses significant challenges for the future of Afghanistan. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with concerns about the broader implications for the country’s stability and the well-being of its citizens.

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