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The Taliban has banned all female students from universities in Afghanistan.
A letter confirmed by the regime’s higher education ministry on Tuesday instructed universities to suspend access to female students immediately until further notice, in accordance with a cabinet decision.
The Taliban reassumed control of Kabul last August, as western forces brought a hasty end to their decades-long presence in the South Asian country.
Returning to power after a 20-year absence, the hardline clerical regime sought to insist that it would take a softer and and more modernised approach to women’s rights and other areas of key concern to Afghanistan’s citizens and the international community, which has not officially recognised the de facto administration.
A change in policies on women’s education is among the key demands by foreign governments, including the United States, in order for them to consider formally recognising the Taliban-run administration, which is also subject to heavy sanctions.
In March, however, the Taliban drew criticism from many foreign governments for making a U-turn on previous signals that all girls’ schools would be opened in Afghanistan.
More follows…
