The boys resumed classes on Monday at Afghan universities reopened after the long winter break, unlike the girls who, to their dismay, are still not allowed to study by the Taliban regime.
The ban on access to university is one of countless restrictions on women’s rights adopted by the Taliban since they came to power in August 2021. It has drawn a wave of condemnations around the world, including in Muslim countries.
“I am heartbroken to see the boys go to university while we stay at home,” said Rahela, 22, from the central province of Ghor.
“It’s total sexual discrimination against girls, because Islam allows us to pursue higher education and be part of society,” lamented the young woman.
At the end of December, the Minister of Higher Education announced that universities were now closed to women on the grounds that they did not respect the dress code in force, which requires them to fully veil their body and face.
The universities had however already adopted new rules after the return to power of the Taliban, in particular intended to separate girls and boys during class hours.
Women were therefore only allowed to be given lessons by teachers of the same sex or by elderly men.
Several Taliban officials say the ban on women studying is only temporary, but they did not give a timetable on when it would reopen to women. Secondary schools have also been closed to girls for a year and a half.
The ban on studying came as a shock to Afghan women who, less than three months earlier, had taken university entrance exams.
Despite their promises to be more flexible, the Taliban have returned to the austere interpretation of Islam that marked their first passage to power (1996-2001) and have multiplied measures against women.
Over the months, they have been excluded from many public jobs or are paid a pittance to stay at home. They are also prohibited from traveling without being accompanied by a male relative and must cover themselves fully when leaving their homes.
In November, the Taliban also banned them from entering parks, gardens, sports halls and public baths.
06/03/2023 07:57:27 – Kabul (AFP) © 2023 AFP
