KABUL – The Taliban has issued a new directive ordering universities in Afghanistan to remove books written by women, deeming them to be in violation of Sharia law and the group’s policies. This latest move is part of an ongoing effort to dismantle higher education and systematically erase women from public and intellectual life.
According to sources, the Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education compiled a list of subjects and books to be banned after a review by a council of religious scholars. The directives, which have been circulated to public and private universities across the country, state that these materials are “contrary to Sharia and the system’s policies.” The ban applies not only to new teaching materials but also mandates the removal of existing books from libraries and curricula.
While the ban targets a range of topics, including constitutional law, human rights, and political systems, books authored by women constitute a significant portion of the prohibited list. A member of the review group told a news outlet that “all books authored by women are not permitted to be taught.”
This action follows a series of other restrictive measures by the Taliban since their takeover, including the ban on girls and women from attending schools and universities. The move is widely seen as an attempt to further isolate women and curb freedom of expression. Critics and human rights organizations have condemned the action, stating that it undermines the country’s academic future and reinforces a system of gender apartheid.
