The Ongoing Crisis of Girls' Education in Afghanistan

Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, they have implemented a series of policies that have systematically barred girls from accessing secondary education. As of September 2025, it has been four years since the Taliban imposed a ban on girls attending school beyond the sixth grade, making Afghanistan the only country in the world with such restrictions. This ban has resulted in over 2.2 million girls being deprived of education, with nearly seven million children overall out of classrooms due to various barriers, including the Taliban's stringent policies.

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The Taliban's recent decree to remove 140 books authored by women from university curricula further exemplifies their oppressive stance. This decision is part of a broader initiative that has seen the prohibition of 18 subjects deemed "in conflict with Sharia," including those focused on gender studies and human rights. The Taliban's justification for these actions is rooted in their interpretation of Islamic law and Afghan culture, which they claim respects women's rights, despite widespread international condemnation.

BBC NewsTaliban crackdown targets female scholars and their textbooksThe Diplomat MagazineDW NewsDespite Taliban ban, over 90 per cent of Afghans support girls’ right to learn

The implications of these educational restrictions are dire. The United Nations has estimated that the ongoing ban could cost Afghanistan up to $5.4 billion in lost GDP annually. The lack of education for girls not only perpetuates cycles of poverty and illiteracy but also hampers the country's development by creating a shortage of skilled professionals. The UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Roza Otunbayeva, has warned that the Taliban's policies amount to the suppression of an entire generation of girls, with significant economic losses projected.

UN: Afghanistan Faces a Storm of Crises

Moreover, the restrictions have led to an increase in mental health issues among girls, with reports of rising anxiety, depression, and early marriages. UNICEF has highlighted that the deprivation of education denies girls opportunities for personal growth and social interaction, exacerbating their plight in a country already facing humanitarian crises.

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Critics of the Taliban's policies, including former Afghan officials and human rights advocates, have labeled these actions as "gender apartheid." They argue that the systematic exclusion of women from education and public life is a deliberate strategy to maintain control and suppress dissent. Fatima Amiri, an education advocate and survivor of a terrorist attack on her school, has called for urgent international action to support underground schools and provide scholarships for Afghan girls.

DW News

International organizations, including UN Women and UNICEF, have condemned the Taliban's actions and urged the global community to take decisive steps to restore the right to education for all girls in Afghanistan. They emphasize that silence in the face of such injustice only empowers the oppressors and normalizes inequality.

Human Rights Watch

• “They are in a very bad situation… the only thing they had was education, but right now they do not have it.” — Fatima Amiri, Education Advocate

Afghanistan: Ban on secondary education for girls marks four long years

• “While millions of children around the world are returning to classrooms this month to begin the new academic year, the girls of Afghanistan are being denied this fundamental right. This is one of the defining injustices of our time.” — Catherine Russell, UNICEF Executive Director

Rising Mental Health Struggles and Early Marriages: UNICEF Urges Taliban to Lift Restrictions on Girls in Afghanistan

• “The situation is dire.” — Roza Otunbayeva, UN Special Representative for Afghanistan

UN: Afghanistan Faces a Storm of Crises

The ongoing crisis of girls' education in Afghanistan represents a significant human rights violation with far-reaching consequences. As the Taliban continues to enforce their restrictive policies, the international community faces a critical moment to act. Without concerted efforts to challenge these oppressive measures and support Afghan girls in their pursuit of education, the future of an entire generation remains at risk.

The Diplomat Magazine