As the Taliban’s ban on education for girls beyond grade six enters its fourth year, students express despair and uncertainty over their future. Many fear that the continued closure of schools has irreparably harmed their dreams and aspirations.
Marking International Education Week, the U.S. Embassy for Afghanistan called for access to education for all Afghan children, describing education as a fundamental right and a path to a brighter, more peaceful future.
“This International Education Week, we celebrate the power of education to transform lives, especially in Afghanistan,” the U.S. mission said on X, formerly Twitter. “Despite the challenges, Afghan students and educators continue to strive for knowledge and growth. Let’s stand together for access to education for all.”
Girls speak out against restrictions
Amu spoke with several Afghan girls affected by the Taliban’s oppressive restrictions. Susan, a former 10th-grade student from Farah Province, said the closure of schools has left her and her peers in despair, forcing some into early or forced marriages and others into depression.
“It’s been three years since we’ve been deprived of education, and the school doors are closed to us,” Susan said. “Education is a right for all of us for a better future, but we are deprived of our rights. We hope that one day, like girls worldwide, we will be able to study and not worry about our future at a young age.”
Sadaf, another student from Farah, voiced frustration over the uncertainty surrounding her future. “We are still uncertain about our future. They haven’t said whether we are allowed to go to school or not,” she said. “I call on the government [Taliban] to give us permission to study like boys so we can have a better future.”
Grim statistics and international calls for action
The Taliban’s prohibition on girls’ education beyond grade six has now persisted for 1,159 days. Despite widespread international condemnation, the group has not taken any steps to reopen schools for girls.
Save the Children, UNICEF, and the Afghanistan Education Coalition recently issued a joint statement calling for urgent action to reopen schools. The organizations highlighted that girls graduating from grade six this year will have no access to further education.
UNICEF reports that 1.4 million Afghan girls have been deliberately barred from attending school. Overall access to primary education has also plummeted, with 1.1 million fewer boys and girls attending school compared to previous years.
The annual exams for students above grade three are set to begin across Afghanistan this week, yet for girls beyond grade six, the future remains bleak. Students, educators, and international organizations continue to urge the Taliban to reverse its restrictions, warning of long-term consequences for the country’s development and stability.
