In a disturbing move that further underscores the Taliban’s oppressive policies, local officials in some provinces of Afghanistan have announced a ban on girls over the age of 10 from attending primary school classes. This latest set of restrictions against female education comes as a continuation of the Taliban’s historical suppression of women’s rights. The Taliban-ruled Ministry of Education conveyed the decree to school principals and short-term training centers in Ghazni province, ordering them not to admit any girl over 10 years of age into primary schools.
This move has left young girls who were previously attending school in despair, with a sixth-grade student reporting that girls over 10 were turned away from entering the school. Reports indicate that the local authorities of the “Ministry for Preaching and Guidance” have enforced the separation of girls based on age in some provinces. In these regions, officials have directed school principals to send female students above the third grade back home, denying them the right to education and limiting their prospects for the future.
The Taliban’s history of banning women’s education has been marred by systematic restrictions and prohibitions. After the withdrawal of US and NATO-led forces from Afghanistan, the Taliban imposed a ban on girls from secondary education, reserving high schools exclusively for boys. Last December, they took a further step by banning college and university-going women, effectively shutting down opportunities for thousands of young women to pursue higher education.
In the face of international criticism, the Taliban has only tightened their grip on Afghan women and girls, exacerbating the already dire situation. The United Nations recently condemned the Taliban for intensifying restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan, including constraints on education and employment. Women have been barred from most aspects of public life and work, with education beyond the sixth grade becoming a distant dream for young girls. Additionally, Afghan women are prohibited from working at local and non-governmental organizations, and this ban was even extended to include employees of the United Nations in April.
The ongoing actions of the Taliban have not only robbed Afghan women and girls of their fundamental rights but have also inflicted immense damage on the prospects of a progressive and inclusive Afghanistan. The international community continues to express concern and solidarity with the oppressed women of Afghanistan, calling for the restoration of their rights and freedoms. As the world watches with concern, the plight of Afghan women and girls remains uncertain under the harsh rule of the Taliban. The urgent need for intervention and support has never been greater, as the hopes and dreams of an entire generation of young girls hang in the balance.