As university entrance exam was held Thursday across several provinces, including Herat and Badghis, female students were once again barred from participating for the fourth consecutive year.
For many, the continued ban has dashed long-held academic aspirations.
Among those affected is Fariba Soltani, a young woman from western Afghanistan. Married and now a mother, she still holds onto the hope of entering university and building a future through education — a right she says she wants not only for herself, but for her child.
“If a mother is uneducated, how can she properly teach her children?” Soltani said. “I ask the government to allow women to study under Islamic principles. I hope next year’s Kankor exam includes girls.”
Her story reflects the growing frustration among Afghan women and girls, whose access to education has been severely curtailed since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. While the group initially promised that restrictions on education would be temporary, they have remained firmly in place for over three years.
Thursday’s exams were held without female candidates, drawing renewed criticism from rights advocates and local families. Some girls say they had spent years preparing for the Kankor, only to see their dreams stalled indefinitely.
“My only dream after finishing school was to take the Kankor and study medicine,” said Setara Sabati, a pseudonym used for her safety. “It’s been four years, and that dream remains out of reach.”
Under Afghanistan’s education system, students must pass the Kankor to gain admission to public universities. But since the Taliban seized control, girls have been barred not only from higher education but also from sitting for the qualifying exam.
Despite repeated assurances by Taliban officials that the bans are temporary and consistent with Islamic principles, critics argue the restrictions are now firmly entrenched. Many girls say they have lost faith in the government’s promises and are calling for immediate action to restore their right to education.
