In absence of wide educational access, girls in Afghanistan rely on religious institutions for learning opportunities
In Afghanistan, the Taliban's ban on girls' education beyond primary school has led to an unexpected surge in enrollment at madrasas, or religious schools. This shift in education has significant implications for the future of these girls and their opportunities.
The Cause of the Increase
The Taliban's ban on girls attending school after grade six has made formal education inaccessible to most beyond a certain age. In contrast, madrasas remain open, resulting in a significant increase in enrollment. For instance, one religious school in Kabul has about 90% female students among its 400 students, and nationwide, more than 3 million students are enrolled in madrasas, with over 1 million new enrollments last year.
Girls and their families view madrasas as a reluctant fallback option, allowing some form of learning, albeit limited to Quranic and Islamic teachings. Many express a desire for formal education that would lead to broader knowledge and future career opportunities but are forced by circumstances to settle for religious schooling.
Implications for Future Education and Opportunities
The shift to madrasa education primarily limits girls' learning to religious texts and Islamic studies, with very limited or no access to science, mathematics, languages, or other subjects essential for diverse career paths. This educational restriction curtails girls' future prospects, as lack of formal secondary and higher education reduces their chances for professional employment and socioeconomic advancement in Afghanistan and abroad.
The reliance on religious schooling entrenches traditional roles and restricts opportunities for women’s participation in public life, economic markets, and higher skilled professions. Although primary enrollment of girls has risen in recent years due to improved security before the ban, the current prohibitions and madrasas’ limited curriculum severely constrain future educational trajectories.
A Desire for More
Despite the current restrictions, some girls, like Faiza, a 25-year-old student at the Tasnim Nasrat center, enrolled five months ago and studies Islamic sciences. Faiza hopes to eventually be allowed to study medicine, one of the few professions still open to women in Afghanistan. Others, like Nahideh, work as water sellers in a cemetery after school, dreaming of becoming a doctor.
Officials, such as Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Abbas Stanikzai, have publicly spoken against the ban, stating there was no justification for denying education to girls and women. However, Stanikzai's comments were not well-tolerated by the Taliban leadership, and he is now officially on leave and believed to have left the country.
In conclusion, the rise in madrasa enrollment among Afghan girls is a direct result of the Taliban’s restrictive policies. While madrasas offer some form of learning, this shift represents a significant setback for girls’ broader education and limits their long-term opportunities and empowerment.
[1] Associated Press. (2023, March 15). Afghanistan: Girls flock to religious schools as Taliban blocks education. AP News. Retrieved from https://apnews.com/article/afghanistan-women-education-taliban-islam-schools-83e3c73f57e280d8c64c0808e6b0941a [2] Al Jazeera. (2023, March 15). Taliban's ban on girls' education in Afghanistan sparks rise in madrasa enrolment. Al Jazeera. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/15/taliban-s-ban-on-girls-education-in-afghanistan-sparks-rise-in-madrasa-enrolment [3] UNICEF. (2023, March 15). UNICEF warns of catastrophic consequences if Taliban's ban on girls' education persists until 2030. UNICEF. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/unicef-warns-catastrophic-consequences-if-talibans-ban-girls-education-persists-until-2030
- Despite the recent surge in madrasa enrollment among Afghan girls due to Taliban's education ban, the focus on Quranic and Islamic studies leaves a gap in their education, specifically in subjects like science, health-and-wellness, and health-and-wellness of women.
- As the Taliban prohibits girls from attending formal schools beyond primary level, news sources warn that this limitation in education could have long-lasting implications for the future of these girls, negatively affecting their prospects in fields such as science, health-and-wellness, and women's health.
