Schulverbot unter den Taliban: Wie afghanische Mädchen im Geheimen weiterlernen

In Afghanistan, where the Taliban has regained control since August 2021, girls have been systematically denied access to higher education. According to UNICEF, over 2.6 million girls have been excluded from further education since closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Nations reports that Afghanistan is the only country where women and girls are explicitly excluded from higher education.

Inside a seemingly ordinary Afghan school, girls don white headscarves and rush out of the yard after classes. The school's principal expresses fear that the Taliban might discover their clandestine activities and shut down the school. Despite over five years of Taliban rule, the school offers English, cosmetology, and tailoring courses – subjects that are not outright banned but often interpreted leniently by local Taliban authorities.

One organization, Anar Academy, offers online classes for Afghan girls in grades seven through twelve. Over 1,400 students have registered this year, but many cannot complete the courses due to internet issues or economic hardships. The Taliban often justify their education policies with alleged Islamic values. Taliban spokesman Abdul Kahar Balchi recently stated that higher education for women and girls is currently suspended but does not take away their right to basic education.

The Anar Academy operates under strict security, with online classes taking place after dark to avoid detection. Despite the challenges, students remain committed to their education, rejecting the idea of remaining illiterate. The principal of a nearby school acknowledges the limitations of online education, noting the importance of social interaction for girls.