Afghan universities reopen, but women still barred
Kabul, Afghanistan — AFP
Male students trickled back to their classes Monday after Afghan universities reopened following a winter break, but women remain barred by Taliban authorities.
The university ban is one of several restrictions imposed on women since the Taliban stormed back to power in August 2021, and has sparked global outrage — including across the Muslim world.
“It’s heartbreaking to see boys going to the university while we have to stay at home,” said Rahela, 22, from the central province of Ghor.
“This is gender discrimination against girls because Islam allows us to pursue higher education. Nobody should stop us from learning.”
The Taliban government imposed the ban after accusing women students of ignoring the required dress code and the necessity to be accompanied by a male relative to and from campus.
Most universities had already introduced gender-segregated entrances and classrooms, as well as allowing women to be taught only by female professors or old men.
Several Taliban officials insist the ban on women’s education is temporary. However, despite promises, they have failed to reopen secondary schools for girls, which have been shuttered now for over a year.
The reality, according to some Taliban officials, is that the ultra-conservative clerics advising the country’s supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada are deeply sceptical of modern education for women- which they perceive to be against Islamic values and ideals for women.
Since taking power, the Taliban authorities have effectively squeezed women out of public life.
Women have been removed from many government jobs or are paid a fraction of their former salary to stay at home.
Islamic scholars and Muslim thought leaders all over the world have highlighted how the limitations on women are contradictory to Islamic principles and traditions.
Rights groups have condemned the restrictions, which the United Nations called “gender-based apartheid”.
The international community has made the right to education for women a sticking point in negotiations over aid and recognition of the Taliban regime.
No country has so far officially recognized the Taliban government.
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