KABUL: Human rights organizations have condemned the Taliban’s latest restrictions on Afghan women’s education and movement after it prevented female students from leaving for the United Arab Emirates to pursue academic scholarships.
The prominent UAE business group, ‘Al Habtoor Group,’ had offered scholarships to 100 women, allowing them to relocate to Dubai and complete their university studies at the University of Dubai. However, Afghan authorities intervened, halting their travel plans and sending them back to their homes from the airport.
Confirming this development, Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, the founding chairman of Al Habtoor Group, stated in a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. He said that he had intended to sponsor female students to attend university, and a plane he had arranged had been scheduled to fly them to the UAE.
Taliban Stops 100 Women from Traveling to UAE for Education
Expressing disappointment, he said that the Taliban authorities prevented approximately 100 women from embarking on this educational journey, despite his efforts to support their university education. He emphasized that Islam upholds equality between men and women.
I am unable to express the disappointment I feel now as The Afghan female students, whom I had provided an educational scholarship in collaboration with the @uniofdubai presented by Dr. Eesa Al Bastaki @ebastaki, were unfortunately unable to reach #DubaiAirport this morning to… pic.twitter.com/gJK9dB2yTf
— Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor (@KhalafAlHabtoor) August 23, 2023
In response to the Taliban’s actions, Amnesty International said that this decision violates the right to education and freedom of movement, further highlighting the ongoing gender persecution faced by women and girls in Afghanistan. The organization urged the Taliban to reconsider their decision and permit these female students to travel to Dubai, enabling them to start their university studies.
