Universities in Afghanistan will return on Monday after a winter vacation, per an edict from the Taliban regime, but women will not be permitted.
Since the Taliban took back control in August 2021, numerous restrictions have been placed on women. One such restriction, the university ban, has provoked uproar around the world, even in the Muslim world.
“It’s heartbreaking to see boys going to the university while we have to stay at home,” said Rahela, 22, from the central province of Ghor.
“This is gender discrimination against girls because Islam allows us to pursue higher education. Nobody should stop us from learning.”
After charging female students with disobeying a severe dress code and a requirement to be escorted to and from university by a male relative, the Taliban government imposed the ban.
In addition to permitting women to only be taught by female academics or elderly males, the majority of colleges had already implemented gender-segregated entrances and classrooms.
Some Taliban leaders claim that the prohibition on women attending school is just temporary, but despite their assurances, they have been unable to reopen the secondary schools for females that have been closed for more than a year.
AFP