The Taliban-run Ministry of Higher Education ordered private universities in Afghanistan not to allow women to take university entrance exams next month, underscoring a policy to restrict women’s access to higher education.
A letter from the ministry was addressed to institutions in the northern provinces of Afghanistan, including Kabul, where the exams are due to take place from the end of February. The letter states that institutions that do not observe the rules will face legal action.
In December, the Ministry of Higher Education told universities not to admit women “until further notice”. Days later, the government prevented most NGO workers from working.
Most high schools for girls were also closed by the authorities.
Restrictions on women’s work and education were condemned internationally. Western diplomats have signaled that the Taliban must change course in its policies towards women to have a chance of formal international recognition and an easing of its economic isolation.
The country is in the midst of an economic crisis, partly due to sanctions affecting its banking sector and a cut in development funding, with aid agencies warning that tens of millions are in urgent need of help.
However, a World Bank report this week said the Taliban government, which it said was focused on greater economic self-sufficiency, maintained strong revenue collections last year and exports increased.
Source: CNN Brasil
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