In a recent report by a U.N. agency, it was revealed that the Taliban's deliberate bans on female education in Afghanistan have resulted in 1.4 million Afghan girls being deprived of schooling. This makes Afghanistan the only country in the world with bans on female secondary and higher education.
Since taking power in 2021, the Taliban have prohibited girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade, citing that it goes against their interpretation of Sharia, or Islamic law. Unfortunately, there have been no indications from the Taliban of any plans to reopen schools for girls and women.
According to UNESCO, the number of girls denied access to secondary education has risen to 1.4 million since the Taliban's takeover, with an additional 300,000 girls affected since April 2023. When considering girls who were already out of school prior to the bans, the total number of girls deprived of education in Afghanistan now stands at almost 2.5 million, which accounts for 80% of Afghan school-age girls.
Primary education has also been impacted, with 1.1 million fewer girls and boys attending school since the Taliban assumed power. UNESCO has expressed grave concerns over the significant setback in education in Afghanistan, warning that the future of an entire generation is now at risk.
The enrollment drop in primary schools has been attributed to the Taliban's decision to prevent female teachers from instructing boys, as well as the challenging economic conditions that have led to a lack of parental motivation to send children to school.
UNESCO has highlighted the potential consequences of the declining school attendance rates, including an increase in child labor and early marriages. The agency emphasized the urgent need for action to address the educational crisis in Afghanistan.
Despite celebrating three years of rule, the Taliban have not addressed the country's hardships or made promises to assist the struggling population. Afghanistan continues to face severe challenges, with millions of Afghans on the brink of hunger and unemployment rates remaining high due to decades of conflict and instability.
