The women’s rights group Junbish-e Panjara-e Omeed has said the Taliban is deliberately seeking to “institutionalize ignorance” in Afghanistan by banning education for girls beyond the sixth grade and prohibiting women from attending universities.
In a statement, the movement argued that the Taliban is pursuing a “strategy of de-education” to sustain its rule by keeping the population uninformed.
“The Taliban know that educated women pose a serious threat to the continuation of its regime,” the statement read, highlighting the group’s fear of empowered women as a catalyst for change.
The movement also condemned the Taliban for violating human rights principles and ignoring the demands of both the international community and the Afghan people. The statement further noted that the Taliban has censored the educational curriculum for boys, replacing modern subjects with teachings that promote “extremism and terrorism.”
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, women and girls have faced severe restrictions, including being barred from education and most forms of employment. Last month, the Taliban reduced the salaries of all female public servants who have been forced to stay at home.
The statement from Junbish-e Panjara-e Omeed reflects the growing frustration and resistance among Afghan women as they continue to challenge the oppressive policies imposed by the Taliban.
