On December 11, Bahara Rustam, a 13-year-old student at Bibi Razia School in Kabul, completed her last class with a heavy heart. For her and many Afghan schoolgirls, this marked the conclusion of their formal education as the Taliban, ruling the country, declared that Afghan schoolgirls are prohibited from pursuing studies beyond the sixth grade. This severe restriction on education was announced in September 2021, just a month after the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops, signaling a grim outlook for the educational aspirations of Afghan girls.
Global Condemnation Ignored: Taliban Extends Ban to Universities:
Despite global condemnation and dire warnings about the repercussions of such restrictions, the Taliban extended their ban to universities in December 2022. This move further isolates Afghanistan from the international community and raises concerns about the country’s legitimacy on the global stage. The international community, including U.N. special envoy Roza Otunbayeva, has expressed deep concern over the fate of a generation of Afghan schoolgirls who are losing precious educational opportunities.
Education Derailed: Tears and Uncertainty for Afghan schoolgirls:
The absence of a standardized curriculum in religious schools, or madrassas, where Afghan schoolgirls are now permitted to study, adds to the uncertainty. Bahara Rustam, determined to cling to her education, studies at home with the hope of moving on to the seventh grade. However, the lack of a formal graduation ceremony and the tears shed by her classmates at Bibi Razia School reflect the emotional toll these restrictions have taken on the dreams and aspirations of young Afghan girls.
A Bleak Future: Excluding Women and Girls from Education is a Disastrous Path:
Setayesh Sahibzada, another 13-year-old from Kabul, laments the abrupt end to her educational journey and the shattered dreams of becoming a teacher. The exclusion of women and girls from education is not only a personal tragedy for these individuals but also a looming disaster for Afghanistan’s future, warns analyst Muhammad Saleem Paigir. The Taliban’s broader restrictions on women, confining them to their homes and restricting their access to public spaces and jobs, raise serious concerns about the overall well-being and progress of Afghan society.
As Afghanistan grapples with these harsh education measures, the international community continues to advocate for the rights of Afghan schoolgirls and women, emphasizing the pivotal role of education plays in shaping a nation’s future. The plight of these young students underscores the urgent need for global attention and support to address the widening educational gender gap in Afghanistan.
