Taliban have detained two social activists in the western province of Herat after they publicly called for the reopening of schools and universities for girls, local sources said on Saturday.
The two men, identified as Qadoos Khatibi, a university lecturer, and Fayaz Ghori, were arrested after posting messages on social media in support of girls’ education, the sources said.
Khatibi had posted a video on his Facebook page on Friday urging Taliban to reopen educational institutions to girls. Referring to the nearly five-year closure of schools and universities for older girls, he said the continuation of the ban was hindering the country’s development and that no society could progress without education.
He also called on the Taliban to honor their commitments and allow girls to return to classrooms.
Ghori, in a separate post, wrote: “We hope for the day when the doors of knowledge will be opened to the girls of this land.”
Taliban have not commented publicly on the reported arrests.
The detentions come amid continued restrictions on women’s education imposed since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Girls above the sixth grade remain barred from attending school, and women are prohibited from studying at universities.
With the start of the new academic year, schools have reopened in colder regions of the country, including Kabul, after a short delay, but only boys and girls up to sixth grade are allowed to attend.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, more than 2.2 million girls in Afghanistan are currently out of school because of the restrictions.
Human rights advocates warn that prolonged limitations on education could have far-reaching consequences, including increased forced marriages and broader violations of women’s rights.
Taliban have repeatedly detained critics and civil society activists over the past several years, particularly those who have spoken out against their policies.
