The Taliban’s War on Education: A Fight Against Enlightenment

Muahmmad Ahmed

NATO coalition forces departed from Afghanistan in 2021, ending a two-decade conflict. Consequently, the nation experienced a swift acquisition by the Taliban, an organization renowned for its authoritarian governance and lack of regard for fundamental human rights. The international community has expressed significant apprehension at the resurgence of the Taliban, with particular emphasis on the potential repercussions for the rights and welfare of women and girls. The Taliban’s preceding administration, spanning from 1996 to 2001, was characterized by stringent limitations imposed on the rights of women, encompassing areas such as access to education, opportunities for employment, and the freedom to roam about.

Since assuming power, the Taliban has implemented a series of stringent measures that have significantly curtailed the rights and freedoms of women and girls, despite their initial claims of adopting a more moderate approach to administration. The implementation of these limitations has effectively deprived women of their fundamental entitlements, encompassing the right to receive education, engage in jobs, utilize public areas, and exercise unrestricted mobility.

Currently, women in Afghanistan encounter significant restrictions in their everyday existence. Individuals are prohibited from accessing secondary education, engaging in employment beyond their residence, and actively participating in societal affairs. In addition, women are mandated to wear burqas when appearing in public and are subject to restrictions on independent travel, necessitating the presence of a male companion.

The activities of the Taliban have elicited extensive censure from the global world. Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, has urged the Taliban to reconsider their recent prohibition on girls attending secondary education, deeming it an “unjustifiable violation” of fundamental human rights.
The situation faced by Afghan women during the period of Taliban governance serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring challenges encountered in the global pursuit of gender equality. This statement serves as an appeal to the global community to persist in their efforts to promote and safeguard the rights of women and girls, not only within the borders of Afghanistan but also in other regions. During the period of Taliban rule in Afghanistan, there was a policy in place that prohibited girls from pursuing education beyond the sixth grade. This policy had the consequence of depriving women of their inherent entitlement to education and constraining their prospects for the future.

According to a report published by the United Nations Children’s Agency (UNICEF), the prohibition on girls’ education, despite assertions by Taliban authorities of its temporary nature, continues to be enforced, resulting in a significant impact on the educational opportunities of more than two million girls.
The international community, including the United Nations, has widely criticized the Taliban’s rationale for the prohibition, which is based on cultural and religious convictions. The United Nations has specifically urged for the prompt reversal of this policy.

The ban’s absurdity is underscored by the circumstance that Suhail Shaheen, a spokesperson for the Taliban, has daughters who are not just pursuing school but also engaging in sporting activities in Qatar. This situation raises doubts regarding the genuineness of the Taliban’s assertions.
The limitations imposed by the Taliban on women’s rights encompass more than just education, encompassing work and engagement in public spheres as well. The activities in question have been denounced by Amnesty International as “gender persecution,” and the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) has compiled evidence of instances involving the torture, detention, and forced disappearances of women.

The Taliban’s directive to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to terminate the employment of female staff members has intensified the circumstances, leading to comparisons with South Africa’s “Apartheid State” and giving rise to the phrase “Gender Apartheid State” to characterize Afghanistan during Taliban governance. The implementation of these stringent and prejudiced rules has not only elicited widespread censure on the global stage but has also posed a substantial hindrance to the Taliban’s efforts in seeking international acknowledgment.

It is imperative to acknowledge that the existing condition of women’s rights in Afghanistan signifies a substantial decline from the advancements achieved in previous periods. In the year 1919, Afghan women were officially granted the right to participate in the electoral process, while educational institutions specifically catering to the education of females were established in 1920. The activities of the Taliban have resulted in the deprivation of fundamental human rights for women, thereby undoing years of advancements and creating discord between Afghanistan and global norms and standards.

The international community must sustain its efforts in applying pressure on the Taliban to reverse their discriminatory practices and reinstate the fundamental rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.
The harsh policies and acts of the Taliban rule have had a detrimental impact on the prospects of Afghanistan’s future. Following a protracted period of conflict and instability spanning several decades, the Afghan populace has started to see a faint ray of optimism over the prospects of a more promising future. Nevertheless, the Taliban’s methodical repression of women’s rights and their marginalization from engagement in society have effectively dismantled this optimistic outlook, resulting in a profound sense of hopelessness across the nation.

The advancement of a nation is intricately connected to the combined efforts and contributions of its whole population. The Taliban’s restriction of women’s access to education, employment, and societal engagement not only infringes upon their fundamental rights but also impedes Afghanistan’s prospects for progress and advancement. The implementation of these flawed policies is likely to contribute to popular discontent and animosity, fostering conditions that may lead to increased instability.
The Taliban regime’s actions bear an unsettling resemblance to Sun Tzu’s chilling observation: “An evil enemy will burn his nation to the ground to rule over the ashes.” The Taliban’s disregard for the potential and welfare of numerous Afghan women poses a significant threat to the long-term stability and development of the country under their governance.

The global community must demonstrate solidarity in denouncing the Taliban’s blatant violation of human rights and assertively call for an expeditious reversal of their discriminatory measures. The achievement of Afghanistan’s recovery and prosperity is contingent upon the comprehensive inclusion and empowerment of its entire populace, encompassing women as well. The country’s genuine healing and progression towards a more promising future can only be achieved via the adoption of inclusivity and the recognition and protection of the rights of all Afghan individuals.

The writer is a student of International Relations at National Defence University, Islamabad.