In Afghanistan, the Taliban regime has banned women from studying – a decision condemned by the international community, the BBC writes.
The ban continues the restrictions on women’s education – last year, after the Taliban regime’s return to power, women were denied the opportunity to study in secondary schools.
Some women organized a protest in Kabul on the 21st of December, but the small demonstrations were quickly suppressed by the Taliban authorities. The UN and several countries have already condemned the decision, which takes Afghanistan back to a time when women were not allowed to receive formal education.
The UN Special Envoy in Afghanistan said that this is the way how women are further marginalized from society. The US indicated that this step would have serious consequences for the Taliban regime. US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said:
«The Taliban cannot expect to be a legitimate member of the international community until they respect the rights of all in Afghanistan. No country can thrive when half of its population is held back.»
Western countries have demanded that the Taliban improve women’s access to education if they want official recognition. Although the Taliban promised lighter rules than before, radical Islamists continue to restrict women’s rights and freedoms.
Taliban leaders oppose modern education, especially when it comes to women. Adherents of more moderate regulations have tried to resist strict restrictions, however, despite this, the government announced on the 20th of December that women are denied entry to universities until an environment suitable for them is provided. However, such promises are questionable. After the girls were expelled from secondary schools, it was promised that they would be able to return, but this has not happened.
In recent months, women’s freedom has also been restricted in other ways in Afghanistan. In November, the Taliban banned women from Kabul’s parks, gyms, and public baths.
Three months ago, the regime had allowed thousands of women and girls to take university entrance exams. However, there were also restrictions – young women were not allowed to apply for engineering, economics, veterinary medicine, and agriculture study programs, and the possibility of studying journalism was also limited.