When the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the future of Afghan women and girls immediately came into question. Soon after seizing power, the Taliban imposed harsh restrictions on women’s rights to be educated. A glimmer of hope came when the Taliban announced the reopening of secondary schools. However, hopes were quickly dashed as the Taliban reneged on their earlier promise and Decided not to open schools for girls above class VI.
More than eight months after the Taliban came back to power, an India Today team visited schools and universities in Afghanistan to take stock of the ground realities in the war-torn nation.
When the Taliban took power last year, all schools were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but only boys and some little girls were later allowed to resume classes.
Some younger girls were allowed to resume classes. (Image: INDIA TODAY)
Children have returned to their classes at a primary school in a remote village in Afghanistan’s Balkh province. But the school not only lacks proper infrastructure, even the teachers working here are not getting their salaries.
Most of the teachers working under the United Nations Education Program are not paid.
Meanwhile, barriers to girls’ education Girls above the age of 16 are not allowed to attend colleges and universities without wearing a face covering. The Taliban have also banned co-education in the country.
Girls walk with their heads covered. (Image: INDIA TODAY)
Speaking to India Today, an Afghani girl going to college said, “We are facing a lot of problems here. We are not being allowed in universities without face and body covering, as well as co-education is banned. Girls enter the college in the first half and boys are allowed in the second half only when the girls leave the campus completely.
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World leaders have condemned the Taliban’s stand on the education of Afghan girls. But despite the criticism, the Taliban is adamant on ensuring that educational institutions follow strict guidelines.
A view of Balkh University in Afghanistan. (Image: INDIA TODAY)
Earlier, when the Taliban was in power from 1996–2001, the group had banned female education and most employment for women.
Following the capture of power in Afghanistan by the Taliban in August 2021, the international community has made the right to education for all, a key point in negotiations over aid and recognition of the new regime, with many countries and organizations calling for teachers to be paid. is offered.
Read also: ‘All fundamental rights according to Islamic rules’: Taliban Women’s Day message