Taliban's education ban prevents 1.5 million Afghan girls from attending school

In Afghanistan, since the Taliban regained power in August 2021, severe restrictions on women have drastically limited their rights and opportunities, particularly in education. The Taliban has specifically barred girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade, creating a situation where almost 1.5 million girls have been prevented from pursuing secondary education. The regime’s focus on implementing a curriculum largely dominated by religious teachings has left many girls feeling deprived of the educational opportunities they had come to expect over the previous two decades. While madrasas are becoming the only available option for education, they are not seen as a substitute for comprehensive schooling. The impact of the Taliban's policies is evident in the experiences of many young women. Nargis, a pharmacology student, openly shared her fears and frustrations about the educational ban. She noted how her younger sisters, who once had aspirations for their futures, now face a bleak education landscape due to the abrupt closure of their schools. Despite the risks, Nargis continues to educate girls in secret, driven by her commitment to sharing knowledge and providing support to those around her. She reflects on the irony of her education; even with her degree, she finds herself confined to home, much like the generations before her. Many women are turning to online education as a lifeline amid these oppressive restrictions. For example, Jafari, an Afghan living in Greece, has made it his mission to return knowledge to the women in his country by offering online computer coding classes, despite never having met his students face-to-face. His initiative aims to provide Afghan women with skills to empower themselves and create opportunities, revealing how digital platforms have opened new avenues for education where traditional routes have failed. With the Taliban implementing strict regulations on women, including a full ban on mixing with men outside their family and limiting their work opportunities, the internet is becoming a critical space for learning and growth. Women like Nargis, reluctant to succumb to despair, continue to seek ways to educate themselves and contribute to their communities. As they adapt to these challenging circumstances, the spirit of resilience shines through, showcasing a determination to fight for a future filled with hope and possibility, despite overwhelming odds against them.