Taliban bans all women from going to university

The Afghan government is returning to its stance from the 1990s, just days after they brought back public beatings and executions.

In the fall of last year, authorities allowed Afghan girls to enrol in primary schools and universities and promised to resume secondary education at the start of the new school year March 23. But that day, as high school girls streamed into classrooms, officials reversed course and postponed classes indefinitely. Picture: Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times

The Afghan government is returning to its stance from the 1990s, just days after they brought back public beatings and executions.

The Taliban have banned women from university education in a further blow to personal freedoms in Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Higher Education ordered all public and private universities to suspend female students’ education yesterday (Tuesday) after a government meeting. “You all are informed to immediately implement the mentioned order of suspending education of females until further notice,” Neda Mohammad Nadeem, the minister for higher education, said.

Despite their promises of more moderate rule than last time they held power, the Taliban have continued to implement oppressive policies aimed at restricting freedom in women’s daily lives since they seized control of the country in August last year.

“They destroyed the only bridge that could connect me with my future,” one student told the BBC. “How can I react? I believe that I could study and change my future or bring the light to my life but they destroyed it.”

Most girls are already barred from attending secondary schools, a decision that was implemented soon after the change in government.

Women have been forced out of many government jobs and cannot travel without a male guardian. They face relentless pressure to wear the conservative burqa, with a mesh screen to see out of.

Two months ago women still hopeful for their futures learnt that they were allowed to study only specific subjects at university. Veterinary science, engineering, economics and agriculture were off the table and journalism was severely restricted.

Classrooms and entrances to universities had already been segregated by gender after the takeover, and female teachers assigned only to female students, to abide by Islamic principles.

Last month women were barred from entering parks, funfairs, gyms and public baths. The decision came from the notorious Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, blaming women’s failure to adhere to gender-segregation rules.

“This is a shameful decision that violates the right to education for women and girls in Afghanistan. The Taliban are making it clear every day that they don’t respect the fundamental rights of Afghans, especially women,” Human Rights Watch said.