Afghanistan’s Taliban government has banned books authored by women from the university curriculum and outlawed the teaching of subjects such as human rights and sexual harassment, in the latest tightening of restrictions on education.
A directive issued in late August instructed universities to withdraw 680 titles deemed problematic, including 140 written by women. The banned works range from textbooks such as Safety in the Chemical Laboratory to courses on gender studies and sociology. Officials said the material was “in conflict with the principles of Sharia and the system’s policy.”
Eighteen subjects have been prohibited altogether, six of them explicitly focused on women. These include Gender and Development, The Role of Women in Communication, and Women’s Sociology.
The decision follows other sweeping curbs imposed since the Taliban’s return to power four years ago, including last year’s closure of midwifery courses, the suspension of girls’ education beyond grade six, and this week’s order blocking fibre-optic internet in at least 10 provinces.
“All books authored by women are not allowed to be taught,” a member of the government’s book review committee confirmed.
Zakia Adeli, former deputy justice minister and one of the affected authors, said the move was unsurprising. “Given the Taliban’s misogynistic mindset and policies, it is only natural that when women themselves are not allowed to study, their views, ideas and writings are also suppressed,” she said.
The ban also targets Iranian content. Of the 679 titles listed, 310 are by Iranian authors or publishers. Taliban officials said this was to prevent “the infiltration of Iranian content” into Afghan academia.
University professors say the order leaves a dangerous gap. “Books by Iranian authors and translators serve as the primary link between Afghanistan’s universities and the global academic community. Their removal creates a substantial void in higher education,” one academic said.
Others warn that hastily written replacements cannot meet global standards. “We are forced to prepare textbook chapters ourselves,” said a professor at Kabul University. “But the crucial question is whether these chapters can be prepared according to global standards or not.”
The Taliban, who insist they respect women’s rights according to their interpretation of Islamic law, have not responded to requests for comment.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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