A former student of a Taliban‑era school in Kabul recalls the day she was barred from attending classes in 1996. Now, after the group’s return to power in 2021, she sees the same restrictions tightening across Afghanistan, and she questions why the international community has failed to protect girls’ right to education.
In a piece published in The Conversation, the author recounts the shock of being told that “girls are not allowed to attend school” when she was a child. She describes how the Taliban’s 1996 decree closed all schools for girls, forcing families to abandon their daughters’ education. The ban was lifted in 2001 after the U.S. invasion, and girls returned to classrooms for the first time in decades. But the 2021 Taliban takeover has revived the same policy, with reports of schools being shut, teachers dismissed, and girls denied access to education in many provinces.
The author’s narrative is a stark reminder that the Taliban’s policy against girls’ education is not a new phenomenon. It is a policy that has been repeated, with the same consequences for Afghan families. The international response, she argues, has been largely symbolic. While the United Nations has repeatedly called for the protection of children’s rights, and donor governments have pledged aid, the on‑the‑ground reality remains unchanged for many girls.
Why it matters
Girls’ education is a cornerstone of development. International bodies such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have long linked girls’ schooling to reduced poverty, improved health outcomes, and greater political participation. When the Taliban reimposes bans, the ripple effects extend beyond individual families to the national economy and social fabric.
The author’s experience highlights a broader pattern of international inaction. While governments have pledged to support Afghan education, many of those pledges have stalled or been redirected due to political and security concerns. The lack of a coordinated, enforceable mechanism means that the Taliban can continue to restrict girls’ schooling with little consequence.
Background and context
The Taliban’s 1996 ban was part of a broader campaign to enforce a strict interpretation of Sharia law. The group’s 2021 return has seen a resurgence of similar rhetoric, with officials citing “cultural” and “religious” reasons for limiting girls’ access to education. In some provinces, schools have been closed outright; in others, teachers have been dismissed or threatened. The situation is compounded by the country’s economic collapse, which has left many families unable to afford private schooling alternatives.
Internationally, the United Nations Security Council has passed resolutions urging the Taliban to respect human rights, but enforcement mechanisms remain weak. The U.S. and European Union have imposed sanctions on Taliban officials, yet these measures have not translated into tangible improvements for girls’ schooling. Aid agencies have struggled to operate in a hostile environment, and many have scaled back their programs.
What to watch next
The upcoming United Nations summit on Afghanistan’s humanitarian crisis is a key moment for the international community. Delegates will discuss the allocation of aid and the enforcement of human rights commitments. Observers will be looking for concrete steps to pressure the Taliban to lift bans on girls’ education.
In addition, the Afghan Ministry of Education’s new policy documents will be released in the coming weeks. Analysts will scrutinize whether the ministry’s plans align with international obligations or merely serve to placate foreign donors.
Finally, grassroots movements within Afghanistan are organizing clandestine classes and digital learning initiatives. Their resilience may force the Taliban to reconsider its stance, especially if international pressure mounts.
Conclusion
The author’s story is a painful echo of a past that should have been left behind. It underscores the gap between international rhetoric and on‑the‑ground realities for Afghan girls. The Taliban’s repeated bans on girls’ education threaten not only individual futures but also the broader prospects for Afghanistan’s development. If the international community is to live up to its commitments, it must move beyond symbolic gestures and implement enforceable measures that protect girls’ right to learn.
Sources
https://theconversation.com/i-lived-through-the-first-taliban-girls-school-ban-watching-it-happen-again-is-heartbreaking-289825
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Story synopsis gathered from: The Conversation – Global — source
