NEW YORK: In a world that increasingly recognizes the importance of education as a fundamental human right, Afghanistan stands out as an anomaly with its persisting restrictions on female education. Two years after the Taliban imposed a ban on girls attending school beyond the sixth grade, Afghanistan remains the only country in the world to enforce such restrictions. This issue has taken centre stage at the United Nations General Assembly, where the rights of Afghan women and children are being discussed and debated.
The United Nations Children’s Agency reports that over a million girls have been directly affected by the ban. However, even before the Taliban’s takeover, an estimated 5 million girls were already out of school due to a lack of facilities and various other reasons. The ban was met with global condemnation and remains a significant obstacle for the Taliban in gaining international recognition as the legitimate rulers of Afghanistan. Despite the backlash, the Taliban escalated their exclusionary policies by also preventing women and girls from higher education, public spaces like parks, and most employment opportunities.
The Taliban’s decision to halt girls’ education beyond the sixth grade is rooted in their interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia, which they claim does not align with educating girls. This perspective finds its origins in a 19th-century Islamic school of thought and is further reinforced by entrenched tribalism in rural areas, as noted by regional expert Hassan Abbas. According to Abbas, the Taliban’s leadership holds restrictive, orthodox, and tribal ideas that oppose the involvement of women in social activities, public life, and education.
This isn’t the first time the Taliban has stifled girls’ education; a similar ban was imposed during their rule in the late 1990s. However, it’s essential to recognize that a consensus among clerics outside Afghanistan supports the notion that Islam emphasizes equal education for both genders. Hassan Abbas asserts that the Taliban’s claims lack substantiation in Islamic teachings.
Despite international efforts, including appeals from various countries and organizations like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Taliban remains obstinate in its stance. They continue to uphold their vision of an Islamic system, resisting attempts to promote democratic values within Islamic countries. This uncompromising approach highlights the immense challenges in promoting gender equality and education within Afghanistan.
One of the most apparent impacts of the education ban is the severe shortage of trained healthcare professionals, particularly among aspiring female medical students. A December 2021 Taliban edict effectively halted higher education for women, including medical studies. While Afghan women do work in hospitals and clinics, the sudden halt in educational opportunities will result in a dwindling pipeline of qualified professionals. Given the cultural norms that prevent Afghan women from consulting male doctors, this poses a significant threat to healthcare services, especially for women and children who rely on female healthcare providers.
Roza Otunbayeva, the U.N. Secretary-General’s special representative for Afghanistan and head of the U.N. mission in Afghanistan, has underlined the critical role that female healthcare professionals play in a society. Without a shift in the current situation, the lack of female doctors, midwives, gynecologists, and nurses will severely impact the delivery of basic healthcare services to Afghan women.
