Taliban Unveil New Rules for Afghan Women: Forbidden From Attending Universities

In an effort to further restrict women's access to higher education and freedom, Afghanistan's Taliban leaders on Tuesday outlawed it nationally.

The Taliban increased restrictions on all aspects of women's lives despite promising a softer rule when they gained control last year and disregarded international protests.

In a letter sent to all public and private universities, signed by Minister for Higher Education Neda Mohammad Nadeem, it was stated that "you all are informed to promptly implement the indicated order of halting education of females till further notice."

The directive was confirmed by the ministry's spokeswoman, Ziaullah Hashimi, who also tweeted the letter, in a text message to AFP. The decision was denounced by Washington "in the harshest terms."

"Until the Taliban respect the rights of everyone in Afghanistan, they cannot be considered a legitimate member of the world community. The Taliban would suffer as a result of this choice "In a statement, Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned.

"No nation can prosper if half of its people are held back."

According to his spokesman on Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "very disturbed" by the prohibition. In a statement, Stephane Dujarric stated, "The secretary-general reiterates that the denial of education not only violates the equal rights of women and girls, but would have a terrible impact on the country's future."

Less than three months have passed since thousands of girls and women nationwide took entrance exams for universities, many of whom were hoping to pursue careers in teaching and medicine. At that time, the ban on higher education was enacted.

The universities will resume classes in March after their current winter vacation.Universities were compelled to enact new regulations following the Taliban's takeover of the nation, including gender-segregated classrooms and entrances, and women could only be taught by older males or women professors.

The majority of adolescent girls in the country are already prohibited from attending secondary schools, significantly restricting their access to higher education.