Taliban Bans Books by Female Authors at Some Afghan Universities
Several students in Kabul and other provinces report that Taliban authorities at certain universities have banned the teaching of books authored by women. According to these students, this decision has been implemented in some higher education institutions in Kabul and Khost.
The students did not provide details about the titles or content of these books but stressed that the ban has been officially enforced in classrooms. The Taliban administration has yet to clarify the issue or respond to inquiries.
This move follows other restrictions the Taliban imposed on the education system after retaking control of the country. Previously, numerous books deemed “un-Islamic” or “contrary to values” were removed from libraries and bookstores, and certain topics and titles were eliminated from university curricula.
Furthermore, the prohibition of female education at universities and the dismissal of some female lecturers from academic activities have been other educational policies under the Taliban’s rule. These policies have sparked critical reactions from university professors and civil society activists.
Critics argue that limiting educational resources and excluding works by female authors undermine the academic independence of universities and could negatively affect the quality of higher education in Afghanistan. They believe that orienting curricula based on specific viewpoints restricts the academic environment and weakens the university’s role as a place for free exchange of ideas.
