Afghan Girls Forge Their Path to Education Amid Taliban Restrictions

In Afghanistan, girls over twelve continue to be denied access to traditional education following the Taliban's rise to power. With over a million affected, many are turning to madrassas as a means of learning despite concerns about the ideological content. Despite the circumstances, students like Amina remain hopeful for a brighter future through education.

In Afghanistan, the dawn of a new school year has little to celebrate for girls. For the fourth consecutive year, children over the age of twelve have been denied the right to attend any formal schooling, a decision stemming from Taliban rule that has left many dreams shattered—dreams like those of Amina, a fifteen-year-old who wishes to pursue a career in medicine. "All my aspirations were destroyed," she reflects, remembering when her father broke the news.

This denial affects more than a million teenage girls, according to Unicef. Many, like Amina, are now turning to madrassas—Islamic religious schools—as their only option for education. While these institutions provide some level of learning, critics argue they cannot replace the comprehensive curriculum offered by regular schools. Some families are still able to afford private tutors for subjects like science, math, and language, yet the majority find themselves limited to the teachings of madrassas.

Amina's brother, Hamid, established the Al-Hadith madrassa, which serves approximately 280 girls of varying ages. He was driven by the palpable frustration his sister felt at being barred from education. "My sister's aspiration to become a heart surgeon suffered greatly," he shares. Despite the harsh conditions of the madrassa—a basement lacking proper heating—Hamid emphasizes the importance of providing a balanced education combining religious studies and academia.

The situation has garnered international attention, with reports indicating that the Taliban's educational approach aims to impose ideological control. The Afghanistan Centre for Human Rights accused madrassas of promoting extremist content in their curriculum, which features restrictions like forbidding co-education and mandating hijabs.

Before the Taliban's takeover, it is estimated that Afghanistan had around 5,000 registered madrassas focused primarily on religious teachings. However, some have adapted to provide subjects such as chemistry, physics, and languages. Unfortunately, initiatives aimed at offering midwifery training have faced bans.

During a visit to the Shaikh Abdul Qadr Jilani madrassa, which supports over 1,800 girls and women, I witnessed the blend of religious and academic education firsthand—though resources were scarce, with tattered textbooks and chilling conditions. Teachers like Hadiya and Safia describe the significance of both religious studies and secular subjects in their curriculum.

Despite their challenges, these young women express hope and determination. "I still believe that one day the Taliban will allow schools and universities to reopen," Amina says with determination, as she remains committed to her dream of becoming a heart surgeon. Meanwhile, the UN has raised alarms about the implications of limited educational opportunities, warning that continued restrictions could fuel extremism and endanger regional stability.

As these young girls brave the odds, they continue to nurture their aspirations against a backdrop of despair, waiting for the day when their paths to traditional education will be restored.