Afghanistan suspends women's education at university

New Delhi: The ruling Taliban government announced the closure of universities for women in Afghanistan, according to a letter by the higher education minister.

A spokesman for the Afghan Ministry of Higher Education confirmed the suspension on Tuesday. A letter published by the education ministry said the decision was made in a cabinet meeting, and the order would go into effect immediately.

"The orders begin immediately till further notice," said the official letter from the ministry of education.

Women students in Afghanistan, significantly higher studies are facing the axe of education since the beginning of the rule of the Taliban in August 2021.

It was a ray of hope when thousands of women were allowed to sit for university entrance tests a couple of months ago. In addition, senior school girls were allowed to take their secondary school exams just weeks ago.

After the Taliban takeover last year, universities introduced gender-segregated classrooms and entrances. Women professors or older men could only teach female students.

Afghanistan's education sector was severely affected after the Taliban takeover, and there has been an exodus of trained academics after the withdrawal of US-led forces last year.

The Taliban government refused to allow girls into secondary schools. Many of the teaching staff who remain go unpaid for months. Thousands of families have left Afghanistan to protect and educate their girl children.

UN chief seeks Afghan women, girls' access to work and education

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, at a press conference on December 19, emphasized the need to ensure human rights in Afghanistan, in particular women and girls' rights, the right of women to work, the right of girls to attend school at all levels "without discrimination."

Several western countries and international organizations have been critical of the Afghan government, demanding women's education and safety for women. The latest measures are likely to cause further concerns in the international community.

For the recognition of Taliban government in Afghanistan, the US and other Western countries have asked for improved female education in Afghanistan as an initial condition for the formal recognition of the Taliban government.

US Deputy UN Ambassador Robert Wood condemned the Taliban's latest actions.

"The Taliban cannot expect to be a legitimate member of the international community until they respect the rights of all Afghans," he said. "Especially the human rights and fundamental freedom of women and girls."

After seizing power in Afghanistan last year, the Taliban attempted to project a moderate image to gain international support and time and again assured to protect the rights of women and girls. Observers say the Taliban has been doing the opposite, systematically clamping down on the rights and freedom of women and girls.

In addition, women in Afghanistan can no longer work in most sectors, require a male guardian for long-distance travel and have been ordered to cover their faces in public. Several women journalists left their jobs, and specific workplaces don't allow women to work.