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UN Condemns Taliban's Ban on Girls' Education in Afghanistan

3/24/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The United Kingdom's Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Richard Lindsay, said the Taliban's ban on girls' education harms Afghanistan's future as the new academic year begins.
UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett condemned the ban as unacceptable and urged reversal.
Since August 2021, after the Taliban returned to power, more than 2.5 million girls are out of school, a situation rights groups call "gender apartheid."

History

Historical Context

The Taliban's resurgence in Afghanistan in August 2021 marked a return to oppressive policies against women, reminiscent of their previous rule in the late 1990s. By 2022, over 2.5 million girls were barred from attending school, reflecting a historical pattern of gender discrimination. This regression threatens Afghanistan's social and economic development, as educated women are vital for progress.

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Story summary

The United Kingdom's Special Envoy for Afghanistan, Richard Lindsay, said the Taliban's ban on girls' education harms Afghanistan's future as the new academic year begins.
UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett condemned the ban as unacceptable and urged reversal.
Since August 2021, after the Taliban returned to power, more than 2.5 million girls are out of school, a situation rights groups call "gender apartheid."

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