Off campus

Women barred from studying at Afghan universities

Female students in Afghanistan have been forced to abandon their studies with immediate effect. The country’s Taliban government announced the measure on Tuesday. 

Around this time of year, students at Afghan universities take their year-end exams. (Photo: Pixabay)

Around this time, students at Afghan universities take their end-of-year exams but now all female students have been denied this opportunity. They are no longer welcome at their places of study. 

A letter issued by the Afghan minister of higher education has ordered every university in the country to implement the ban with immediate effect. The letter – shared on Twitter – has been verified by several media outlets, which broke the news on Tuesday evening.

Restrictions
This is the latest in a long line of restrictions imposed on women since the hardline Islamist Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August last year. They include a ban on secondary education for girls, women being dismissed from government jobs and no longer being permitted to travel unless accompanied by a male relative.

The United Nations has voiced concern at this new ban, regarding it as a violation of the regime’s previous promise to allow women to continue their education.

HOP, Peer van Tetterode

 

HOP Hoger Onderwijs Persbureau

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