The Taliban’s acting minister for higher education says that women will continue to attend their higher educational studies and university concerning Sharia law, but not in a co-ed setting where males and females will reside and study in one place.
Taliban allows Afghan women to continue with their studies
On Sunday, the Taliban declares that Afghan women will be allowed to continue with their studies, however, there will be a ban on mixed classes under their new rule.
Despite their way of overpowering back in the 1990s when women and girls weren’t allowed to get their education, this time, however, according to them, they’ve vowed to rule differently after their ascending into power since they took over in August after the U.S. troops’ withdrawal.
“The… people of Afghanistan will continue their higher education in the light of Sharia law in safety without being in a mixed male and female environment,” Abdul Baqi Haqqani, the Taliban’s acting minister for higher education says at a meeting with elders which is known as a Loya jirga.
He emphasizes the fact that the Taliban want to “create a reasonable and Islamic curriculum that is in line with our Islamic, national and historical values and, on the other hand, be able to compete with other countries.”
Segregation of opposite sexes
In deeply conservative Afghanistan, segregation of girls and boys at primary and secondary schools is very common.
One of the most asked questions regarding their rule is whether women can work and get a job on all levels and be able to work with men in the same space.
Despite the group’s pledge to respect the progress made in women’s rights and education in the country, sadly, they will only go by their rigid and strict interpretations of Islamic law.
Furthermore, their actions are being criticized as the people aren’t sure with many of them wondering whether the group will hold on to their “pledges”.
Decisions for women made by men
A lecturer who worked at a city university says, “The Taliban’s ministry of higher education consulted only male teachers and students on resuming the function of universities.”
At the meeting that was conducted on Sunday, no women were present but instead consisted of other senior Taliban officials.
Furthermore, the lecturer also states that the absence of women at the meeting shows “the systematic prevention of women’s participation in decision making” and “a gap between the Taliban’s commitments and actions”.
Over the past 20 years, rates of University admission have risen amongst women in co-ed settings and have even attended lectures and seminars with male professors.
However, with the raids and attacks in recent months, dozens have lost their lives causing panic. The Taliban however denies that they were behind this attack.
The Taliban are known for their previous rule of treating women brutally. Women were excluded from everyday activities of life and some were even stoned to death for adultery.
Lastly, the Taliban haven’t announced their take-over of the Afghan government as they said that they will wait after the U.S. and foreign troops withdraw.
