Taliban bans all Afghan women from going to university

December 21, 2022

The Ministry of Higher Education ordered all public and private universities to suspend female students’ education yesterday after a government meeting. “You all are informed to immediately implement the mentioned order of suspending education of females until further notice,” Neda Mohammad Nadeem, the minister for higher education, said.

Despite initially promising a more moderate rule and women’s and minority rights, the country’s hard-line rulers have widely implemented their harsh interpretation of Sharia law. Most girls are already barred from attending secondary schools, a decision that was implemented soon after the change in government.

Two months ago women still hopeful for their futures learnt that they were allowed to study only specific subjects at university. Veterinary science, engineering, economics and agriculture were off the table and journalism was severely restricted. they (women) kept trying, many applying for teaching and medicine. Classrooms and entrances to universities had already been segregated by gender after the takeover, and female teachers assigned only to female students, to abide by Islamic principles.

The Taliban’s decision came as many university students sat end-of-term exams. One mother of a university student, who asked not to be named, said that her daughter called her in tears when she heard of the letter, fearing that she could no longer continue her medical studies in Kabul. She said: “The pain that not only I and [other] mothers have in our heart could not be described. We are all feeling this pain. They are worried for the future of their children.”

It led some women to dare to protest on Wednesday on the streets in Kabul – a dangerous act given the Taliban’s record for detaining protesters. The small demonstrations were quickly shut down by Taliban officials. This generation had thought they were the lucky ones – getting the education denied to their mothers, older sisters and cousins. Instead, they’re seeing their future crumble.

Rishi Sunak has warned the Taliban the “world is watching” … On Wednesday, Mr Sunak, who has two young daughters, added his criticism as he tweeted: “As a father to daughters, I cannot imagine a world in which they’re denied an education. The women of Afghanistan have so much to offer. Denying them access to university is a grave step backwards. The world is watching. We will judge the Taliban by their actions.”