Afghanistan’s Educational Crisis: Taliban’s Ban on Girls’ Schooling and UNESCO’s Human Rights Concerns

In August 2021, the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan marked a dark chapter for the nation’s educational landscape, particularly for girls. The Taliban’s strict interpretation of Sharia law led to an immediate and severe restriction on female education, barring girls from attending secondary schools and universities. This policy has had a catastrophic impact, depriving 1.4 million Afghan girls of their right to education. The Taliban’s justification for this draconian measure is that female education does not comply with their version of Sharia law. However, this rationale has been widely condemned by international bodies, including UNESCO, which has highlighted the dire consequences of such a ban on an entire generation of Afghan girls.

UNESCO’s recent report reveals that almost 2.5 million Afghan girls are now without access to education, a staggering number that underscores the severity of the crisis. The Taliban have shown no signs of reversing their decision, leaving millions of young girls in educational limbo. The absence of formal education not only robs these girls of academic knowledge but also stifles their personal growth, aspirations, and future opportunities. The situation is exacerbated by the Taliban’s decision to bar female teachers from teaching boys, further contributing to the overall drop in school enrollment. As a result, primary education has also suffered, with 1.1 million fewer girls attending school compared to previous years.

The ramifications of this educational deprivation extend beyond the classroom. UNESCO warns of a potential rise in child labor and early marriages as families, facing economic hardships and lacking incentives to educate their daughters, may resort to these measures. The Taliban’s restrictive policies have effectively erased two decades of progress in women’s education in just three years. This regression is not merely a setback for individual girls but a significant blow to Afghanistan’s social and economic development. The international community, led by organizations like UNESCO, is urging immediate action to reopen schools and universities for Afghan girls and women.

The impact of the Taliban’s rule on Afghan women extends beyond education. A poignant example of this is captured in the book ‘My Dear Kabul: A Year in the Life of an Afghan Women’s Writing Group.’ This book chronicles the experiences of a creative writing group for Afghan women, who, despite the oppressive environment, continue to express their thoughts and emotions through writing. The group’s entries, shared via a WhatsApp group, serve as a collective diary documenting the first year under Taliban rule. The writings reflect a range of emotions, from anger and terror to despair and confusion, highlighting the profound psychological impact of the Taliban’s policies on women.

The women in the writing group come from diverse backgrounds, including single women in their 20s and a grandmother with a degree in language and literature. Many were born in exile or forced to flee before the Taliban takeover, adding layers of complexity to their experiences. Their writings reveal the daily humiliations and fears they face, as well as their acts of defiance, such as wearing lipstick or risking their lives to flee the country. The book underscores the extraordinary resilience of these women, but it also raises questions about the global response to the Taliban’s actions. Where was the international outrage when the Taliban entered Kabul?

Amidst this backdrop of repression, there are glimmers of hope and solidarity. Ireland, recognizing the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, has committed to accepting 100 Afghan refugees, focusing on women and human rights defenders. This initiative is part of a broader effort to provide sanctuary to those most at risk under Taliban rule. Ireland’s leader has condemned the Taliban’s discriminatory decrees and called for increased attention and support for the Afghan people. The Irish Refugee Protection Program has prioritized individuals such as human rights defenders, activists, journalists, and judges, who face severe threats from the Taliban.

The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is one of the worst in the world, with 23.7 million people requiring assistance. The Taliban’s return to power has brought about widespread human, civil, political, social, economic, and cultural rights abuses. Extrajudicial killings, public executions, enforced disappearances, torture, and arbitrary arrests and detentions have become commonplace. Women and girls have borne the brunt of these abuses, losing their basic rights to education, employment, freedom of movement, and access to services. The Taliban have enacted 70 decrees and directives that severely restrict women’s rights, including banning education beyond the sixth grade and excluding women from decision-making processes.

The UN agency for gender equality has reported that three years of Taliban rule have erased women from public life in Afghanistan. Women who were once leaders and entrepreneurs are now confined to their homes, their voices silenced. A report presented by Alison Davidian, the agency’s country representative for Afghanistan, highlights the extent of this erasure. Consultations with thousands of women across Afghanistan reveal that 98% feel they have little or no say in decisions made in their communities, and the percentage of women who feel they have a say in their own homes has dropped by nearly 60% in the past year. This political and social marginalization has led to a mental health crisis, with 68% of women reporting ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ mental health and 8% knowing someone who has attempted suicide.

The long-term impact of denying education and opportunities to women and girls is profound. It will likely lead to an increase in early childbearing and maternal mortality, further entrenching poverty and limiting the country’s development. In response, UN Women is calling for continued investment in Afghan women and girls. Empowering Afghan women is seen as a way to undermine the Taliban’s vision for society. This includes providing sustainable funding for women’s organizations and programs that counter their erasure and creating spaces for Afghan women to voice their priorities and recommendations directly.

The international community cannot afford to ignore the plight of Afghan women and girls. Their struggle for rights and opportunities is not unique; it mirrors the global fight for women’s rights. The fate of Afghan women is intrinsically linked to the broader struggle for gender equality worldwide. As such, the international community must stand in solidarity with Afghan women, providing them with the support and resources they need to reclaim their rights and rebuild their lives. This includes pressuring the Taliban to reverse their restrictive policies and ensuring that Afghan women have access to education, employment, and participation in public life.

The future of an entire generation of Afghan girls now hangs in the balance. The international community must act urgently to protect their right to education and ensure that they are not condemned to a life of illiteracy and limited opportunities. This involves not only reopening schools and universities but also addressing the broader socio-economic factors that contribute to educational deprivation. Economic incentives for parents, investment in educational infrastructure, and support for female teachers are crucial components of this effort. Only through a comprehensive and sustained approach can the cycle of deprivation and marginalization be broken.

As the Taliban celebrate three years of rule, they do so without acknowledging the immense hardships they have imposed on the Afghan people. Hunger, starvation, and high unemployment plague the nation, further exacerbating the challenges faced by women and girls. The Taliban’s control over Afghanistan remains unchallenged, but the international community’s response must be one of unwavering support for human rights and gender equality. The voices of Afghan women, as captured in ‘My Dear Kabul,’ serve as a powerful reminder of their resilience and determination. Their stories must inspire global action to restore their rights and opportunities.

The road ahead is fraught with challenges, but the resilience and courage of Afghan women offer a beacon of hope. By standing with them, the international community can help pave the way for a brighter future where every Afghan girl has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Education is not just a fundamental human right; it is the cornerstone of a prosperous and equitable society. Ensuring that Afghan girls have access to education is a moral imperative and a critical step towards building a peaceful and inclusive Afghanistan. The time to act is now, and the world must not turn its back on the girls of Afghanistan.