Afghanistan’s education system for girls remains in limbo, with an uncertain future hanging over young women’s access to schooling. Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, they have imposed a ban on secondary and university education for girls.

After the Taliban took over, according to the UNESCO report from 2024, 1.4 million Afghan girls have been denied education, which led to 1.1 million fewer children attending school compared to 2020.

This is not the first time the Taliban have banned education for girls. When they were last in power, between 1996 and 2001, they forbade female education for all ages, from primary school to university.

This current ban has sparked international concern and raised crucial questions about whether Afghan girls will ever regain the educational opportunities that were once available to them. The situation is dire, leaving many wondering what will happen next for the girls and women of Afghanistan.

Banning education for Afghan girls

Since the Taliban’s takeover, most girls across Afghanistan have been denied the right to continue their education. In September 2021, the Taliban shut down schools for girls beyond the age of 13 (sixth grade), leaving them unable to complete their studies. For students like Wahida*, a 17-year-old in Kandahar, the closure was particularly devastating. “I was in my final year of high school, and I couldn’t graduate because of the ban,” she says, clearly frustrated by the lost opportunity.

These personal stories highlight the severe impact of the Taliban’s policies on girls’ academic and personal futures, closing doors to careers, dreams and progress.

Many girls who have been banned from formal education are now confined to their homes, taking on domestic responsibilities or engaging in basic home-based work, such as sewing or helping with family businesses. Some girls try to continue their studies through underground networks, secret schools, or online platforms – risking their safety in the process.

The future of Afghan girls’ education remains uncertain. While some Taliban officials have stated they hope to reopen schools for girls soon, the timeline and conditions are unclear. Acting deputy education minister Abdul Hakim Hemat announced in 2021 that girls will not be allowed back into secondary schools until a new education policy is created, aligned with what the Taliban defines as “Islamic and Afghan traditions”.

The damage the ban causes

The long-term consequences of denying education to Afghan girls are far-reaching. Beyond the personal impact on students such as Wahida and Sahar, restricting girls’ education undermines the future of the entire country.

An uneducated female population limits the potential for economic growth, social progress and gender equality. Without access to education, women are unable to contribute fully to the economy, perpetuating cycles of poverty and stunting national development.

This and international pressure – such as UNICEF’s recent call for the Taliban to lift their ban on girls’ education – must continue in order to ensure the Taliban upholds the rights of Afghan girls.

The world must stand in solidarity with the young women of Afghanistan to ensure they can return to their classrooms, fulfill their potential and help rebuild their nation for future generations.

* Names have been changed to protect identities