The Taliban’s resurgence in Afghanistan has severely impacted education, effectively reversing two decades of progress, according to a recent UNESCO report. The de facto authorities in Afghan have created a crisis for the future of an entire generation, particularly affecting women and girls.
BAN ON WOMEN’S EDUCATION
Afghanistan stands as the only country where secondary and higher education is completely forbidden for women and girls over the age of 12. Since the Taliban took control on August 15, 2021, they have imposed severe restrictions on women’s rights, leading to a catastrophic impact on education.
DRAMATIC DECLINE IN FEMALE EDUCATION
As of the Taliban’s third anniversary of ruling Kabul, at least 1.4 million girls have been barred from secondary education. This figure adds to the nearly 2.5 million girls who were already out of school, representing 80% of Afghan school-aged girls.
IMPACT ON UNIVERSITY ENROLLMENT
Since 2021, university enrolments have plummeted by more than half, according to UNESCO. This drop signals a future shortage of skilled graduates, exacerbating Afghanistan’s development challenges and economic woes.
PRIMARY EDUCATION DECLINE
The Taliban’s restrictions have also drastically affected primary education. In 2022, only 5.7 million children were enrolled in primary schools, down from 6.8 million in 2019. This decline is attributed to several factors, including the ban on female teachers from instructing boys and worsening socio-economic conditions.
RISKS OF INCREASED CHILD LABOR AND EARLY MARRIAGE
The reduction in school enrolment raises concerns about a potential increase in child labour and early marriage. The combination of fewer educational opportunities and economic hardship threatens to further endanger the well-being of Afghan children.
UNESCO’S ALTERNATIVE LEARNING INITIATIVES
In response to the educational crisis, UNESCO has launched several alternative learning programs. Working with local communities across 20 provinces, the agency has trained over 1,000 facilitators, including 780 women, to deliver literacy courses to more than 55,000 young people, mostly girls.
INVESTMENTS IN DISTANCE LEARNING
UNESCO is also supporting distance learning through radio and television. The agency provides financial backing and training to Afghan media outlets to develop and broadcast educational content, aiming to reach students who cannot attend traditional schools.
CALL FOR INTERNATIONAL ACTION
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has stressed that the right to education must remain uncompromised. She urges the international community to maintain strong pressure for the unconditional reopening of schools and universities for Afghan girls and women.
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY’S ROLE
Azoulay emphasizes that the international community must remain mobilized to restore educational rights, arguing that face-to-face learning is crucial for effective education.
SYSTEMATIC VIOLATIONS AND GENDER APARTHEID
The experts highlighted the widespread and systematic violations of women and girls’ rights under Taliban rule. They describe the situation as amounting to “gender apartheid” and call for robust international action to protect and support Afghan civilians.
The current educational crisis in Afghanistan, driven by Taliban policies, represents a grave setback for human rights and development. As the international community continues to respond, the focus remains on restoring educational opportunities and addressing the severe rights violations impacting Afghan women and girls.
Final Thoughts
The situation in Afghanistan underscores the urgent need for global solidarity and intervention. As the country grapples with a profound educational and humanitarian crisis, the international community’s actions will be pivotal in shaping the future for millions of Afghan children and women.
