Senior Taliban official Sher Abbas Stanikzai has issued a strong appeal to the group’s leadership, calling for the immediate reversal of the ban on education for Afghan women and girls. He denounced the policy as unjustifiable and harmful, emphasizing its negative consequences for the country.
Speaking at a ceremony in a religious school located in Khost province on Saturday, Stanikzai, who serves as the political deputy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed his disapproval of the restrictions. He stated, “There is no valid reason to deny education to women and girls. This is not based on Islamic teachings but is instead a reflection of individual choices or societal norms. By imposing such bans, we are perpetuating an injustice against 20 million people in a population of 40 million, stripping them of their rights and opportunities for a better future.”
The Taliban’s ban on education, which limits girls’ schooling to the sixth grade, has sparked widespread criticism both within Afghanistan and from the international community. The policy has been described as a significant step backward for the rights of Afghan women and girls. Moreover, reports from late 2023 indicate that the Taliban has extended these restrictions by halting medical training for women, further aggravating an already dire healthcare situation. This decision has left the country struggling to address the healthcare needs of women, as female medical professionals are critical in a society where cultural norms require gender-sensitive healthcare providers.
Stanikzai’s remarks highlight a growing divide within the Taliban leadership over the issue, as well as the broader implications of denying education to half the population. His call for change underscores the urgent need to reconsider policies that undermine progress, hinder development, and violate fundamental human rights. Observers believe that lifting these bans would not only benefit Afghan women and girls but also strengthen the nation’s overall social and economic stability.
