Taliban’s problem with women’s education in Afghanistan
Atefeh Riahi (A post-graduate in Political Science)
The Taliban is a Sunni [Islam] mainly Pashtun movement which took over Afghanistan in 1996, but were overthrown by the United States and its allies in 2001. After 20 years of civil war and instability, Taliban regained power in 2021. Much like before, they began to ban women and girls in social, political and educational domains. Soon female employees were fired for various reasons, classrooms for male and female students were separated, male professors were told not to attend female classes and finally women were banned from universities.
Molavi Nada Mohammad Nadim, head of Taliban’s higher education, listed four reasons for suspending the education of female students at universities in an exclusive interview (23 December 2022) with Afghanistan National Television:
“1) Working in the dormitories of female students in Afghanistan is against Afghan zeal and Islam, and it is not permissible for girls to study without family members in another province or to travel without a close relative. 2) Non-observance of full Hijab by female students. 3) Girls and boys must be separated. 4) Studying at some academic disciplines is not suitable for female students; it is against their honor and dignity.”
Although states such as Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Indonesia, Qatar and Egypt have called the restrictions on Afghan girls against the teachings of Islam, the Taliban defended their decision and emphasized that their government is based on Islamic Sharia. Of course, in response to the imposition of restrictions against Afghan women, some protestations by Afghan women were [are] held inside and outside Afghanistan, which have been [are] reflected in foreign media. But, until now, the restrictions imposed by Taliban have not been lifted.
It seems, traditional, local and ethnic perceptions of Islam are one of the major obstacles for women to attend educational centers in Afghanistan controlled Taliban. When one refers to religious teachings, one realizes that education is considered as a right for human being. In Islam, gaining knowledge is highly respected.
Therefore, proper education and “broadly minded” interpretations of Islamic teachings must be highlighted. In addition, international treaties and entities such as the Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, the Convention on the Prohibition of Discrimination against Women and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights must be brought to the attention of Taliban. Apart from that, the role of popular movements and non-governmental organizations outside Afghanistan, international pressure and non-recognition of the Taliban can be effective in solving the women problem in Afghanistan.
Half of the Afghan population is made up of women and their role cannot be ignored in the development and progress of the society. Considering the fact that Taliban is now in power, if they can change their approach towards women, there is a possibility that other countries may reconsider their diplomatic relations with Afghanistan; Taliban can benefit from this opportunity.