{
  "id": 565764,
  "title": "Torment of Afghan fathers as daughters deprived of education",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/torment-of-afghan-fathers-as-daughters-deprived-of-education-565764",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-11T13:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2026/08/11/torment-of-afghan-fathers-as-daughters-deprived-of-education/230969"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KABUL, Aug 11 — Across Afghanistan, fathers spoke to AFP about the devastating impact of the education ban that forces their daughters to stop attending secondary school. Despair and anguish are evident in interviews conducted throughout the country, even from deeply religious fathers who question the ruling. The Taliban justifies the ban based on their interpretation of Islamic law, but some fathers, like devout believers, struggle to find any justification in the Quran.\n\nThe ban, unique in the world, came into effect in March 2022, when the Taliban returned to power, and universities were closed to women a year later. The UN estimates that at least one million girls have been directly affected by the restrictions on secondary education after more than four years. One Afghan father, Engineer Ahmad, whose wife is a secondary school math teacher, now faces the reality that his daughters will be effectively illiterate after being barred from pursuing higher education.\n\nThe emotional toll on these fathers is immense, with many losing sleep over their daughters' futures. Despite praise for the Taliban for restoring security and reducing corruption, the education ban causes immense emotional turmoil. Many fathers have lost their jobs and are unable to afford clandestine courses or private schools, leaving their daughters without proper education. The Taliban government has not responded to AFP's questions about the ban, insisting it is temporary. However, with no end in sight, these fathers continue to search for solutions while shielding their daughters from the stress and uncertainty of their situation.",
  "summary": "KABUL, Aug 11 — Father after father AFP spoke to in Afghanistan about the education ban that stops their daughters...",
  "key_points": [
    "Afghan fathers struggle with daughters' education ban, causing despair and anguish",
    "Taliban justifies ban based on Islamic law, but fathers seek justification in Quran",
    "At least one million girls affected, emotional toll immense as Taliban offers no end date"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The education ban imposed by the Taliban has brought immense emotional turmoil to Afghan fathers, who are struggling to come to terms with their daughters being deprived of education and a secure future.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}