The Taliban’s new edict that further bans girls’ education has caused widespread and unprecedented reactions within Afghanistan. The Taliban have faced waves of anger and popular protests, despite their threats and violent suppression of any opposition.
On Tuesday, December 20, the Taliban Ministry of Higher Education announced a cabinet decision that females could not continue their education at public and private universities. The decree went into immediate effect and will continue until further notice. The next day, Taliban troops prevented girls from entering the universities, while some female students already in class cried as they were forced to leave.
The Taliban’s decision has provoked anger in various strata of Afghan society, from the former government officials to civil and women’s rights activists, university professors, students, and ordinary citizens.
On Thursday, December 22, a group of women in Kabul publicly protested the new ban, chanting their famous slogan, “Education, Work, and Freedom.” Taliban troops soon broke up the march, detaining five protesters and three reporters, fellow protesters and eyewitnesses tell Zan Times.
“Today’s demonstrations started at Dehburi, and we had reached the near Pul-e-Surkh, where the Taliban came in their Rangers [pick-ups] and then they beat the protesters,” says Samana, an eyewitness. According to her, the Taliban placed agents among the protesters to film and photograph anyone who showed up for the demonstration. Then the Taliban arrived, beating protesters and seizing their phones and cameras.
“After the Taliban beat a few others, we managed to escape,” Samana recounts. “But I saw the Taliban throw Zainab Mandegar with four girls and two reporters in the Ranger, and take them away”
Another source told Zan Times that the Taliban arrested Zainab Mandegar, Angeza, Shakila, and Ruqiya Saei during today’s Kabul demonstrations. The source says the Taliban released them a few hours later though Zan Times could not independently confirm their release. There is no information about the fate of the three detained journalists.
A large number of Taliban gunmen were also deployed near Kabul University, likely in preparation for protests expected to follow their ban announcement.
In addition to the demonstration in Kabul, women in Baghlan province also marched to protest the new ban on girls’ education. Like in Kabul, the Taliban in Baghlan resorted to violence to suppress and disperse the protesters. As well, a number of students at Nangarhar University protested the ban on girls’ education on Wednesday, and male students left their classrooms in protest.
Professors resign in protest of discrimination against women
Dozens of university professors across the country resigned after the Taliban’s order to ban girls’ education. These university professors say the Taliban’s new action is systematic discrimination against women and that depriving girls from education is unacceptable.
The full count of professors who have resigned is not known but reports indicate the number is increasing. Some local media have reported that at least 60 university professors have resigned to date, while dozens of professors announced their resignations on social media.
Taliban have ‘taken the people hostage’
The Taliban ban on girls’ education beyond grade 6 has also led to condemnations from a large number of former Afghan government officials, political figures, and activists.
Former Afghan president Mohammad Ashraf Ghani called it unfortunate and a clear sign of gender apartheid, stating, “The main problem is the illegitimacy of the ruling group, which has occupied Afghanistan and has taken the people hostage.”
Former Afghan president Hamid Karzai also expressed his concern about the Taliban’s decision to ban girls’ education, saying, “Preventing women’s education in Afghanistan not only harms Afghanistan’s prosperity, but increases misery and dependence of our country on foreigners.”
Mohammad Mohiq, editor in chief of Haste Subh and an scholar of Islamic studies, called Taliban’s recent act as one that oppresses women and said the Taliban and its supporters are seeking to impose their wishes on society by distorting and misreading the Quranic verses. He stated that the Taliban decision is contrary to Islamic teachings, noting that groups that make Islam a means of achieving their political goals do so by playing with verses of the Quran, both about women and other human beings.
Hundreds of political figures and civil activists have also expressed anger against the Taliban’s recent move. As well, the decision has faced a wide range of protests and opposition from citizens on social media.
Gender oppression is a crime against humanity
Along with domestic reactions, the Taliban’s decision to ban girls’ education has also provoked anger around the world: the United Nations, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, European Union. and a significant number of Western foreign ministers have condemned the Taliban’s decision as a repressive act against women.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a tweet that he was “deeply shocked” by the Taliban’s ban, stating, “The denial of education violates equal rights and will have a devastating impact on the country’s future.” He called on the Taliban to “ensure equal access to education for all.”
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also urged the Taliban to “reopen girls’ schools beyond the sixth grade and end all measures preventing women and girls from participating fully in daily public life.” In addition, UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Türk called the decision “another appalling and cruel blow to the rights of Afghan women and girls and a deeply regrettable setback for the entire country.”
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has also strongly condemned the Taliban’s decision, calling it a unique move in today’s world and stating that “gender persecution is a crime against humanity.”
Foreign Ministers of the United States, Britain, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Holland, Norway, Spain, and Switzerland also condemned the Taliban and have insisted that the Taliban immediately rescind their decision.
