Under pressure, Taliban allow girls to return to some high schools

In some provinces, girls are back at school but they are a lucky few. Teachers and parents have doubts about what this means for life under Taliban rule.

Christina Goldbaum

Nov 4, 2021 – 8.00am

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When Narges and her younger sisters were finally allowed to return to school in September, they braced for the new world outside their family’s gate.

Following their mother’s lead, each layered on a black dress, black abaya, headscarf and niqab as well as a face mask. Minutes later, overcome by anxiety, Narges’ sister Hadiya, 16, fainted even before leaving the house. When Hadiya finally stepped outside and saw a Talib for the first time, tears poured down her face.