Students and their families expressed deep frustration, calling on the Taliban to reverse its policies and reopen schools for girls.

The foundation highlighted the bravery of this year’s laureates in defending human rights in highly oppressive environments.

The prize has been previously awarded to prominent figures such as education advocate Malala Yousafzai.

UNICEF reports that 1.4 million Afghan girls have been deliberately barred from attending school.

The report underscores the dual challenge of sustaining humanitarian operations while navigating policies that severely limit women’s participation.

For more than 1,150 days, girls above the sixth grade have been barred from attending school under the Taliban’s rule.

The Taliban’s ban on education beyond sixth grade has left many students and their families feeling hopeless about the future.

Madina, a former employee, says she has been left in a state of uncertainty since the Taliban returned to power.

Women say the new morality law and the heightened presence of the Taliban's morality police have made life significantly more.