Taliban deny approval for female students’ scholarship to Pakistan
Reports have surfaced suggesting that Afghanistan’s girls might be allowed to pursue higher education in Pakistan, provided they are accompanied by a male guardian. However, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Higher Education has denied such claims.
Hafiz Ziaullah Hashimi, spokesperson for the ministry, stated on Monday, January 27 that the reports about a conditional agreement with Pakistan for girls’ scholarships are false and baseless.
He emphasized that the ministry has not made any agreements with any country, including Pakistan, regarding scholarships for Afghanistan’s girls.
Recently, some media outlets had reported that the ministry had agreed with Pakistan to allow female students to continue their education under the condition of a male guardian’s accompaniment. However, the ministry reaffirmed that no such agreement exists.
Since August 2021, Afghanistan’s girls above the sixth grade have been prohibited from attending educational institutions, severely limiting their access to education.
On January 24, International Day of Education, the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) called on the Taliban government to lift the ban on girls’ education, urging for inclusive educational policies.
The restrictions imposed by the Taliban have left Afghanistan’s girls with an uncertain future, as access to education remains a distant dream. The continued ban has drawn widespread international criticism and concerns over the long-term consequences for Afghanistan.
Without policy changes, Afghanistan faces a bleak future with limited opportunities for education and work, further widening gender inequality in the country.
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