Srinagar, Sept 19 (KNS): The Taliban government in Afghanistan has removed books written by women from the university curriculum as part of a sweeping new ban that also outlaws the teaching of human rights and sexual harassment.
According to officials, around 680 books have been blacklisted for being “against Sharia and Taliban policies.” Among them, 140 are authored by women, including academic works such as Safety in the Chemical Laboratory.
The Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education has also barred 18 university subjects, six of which focus on women, such as Gender and Development, The Role of Women in Communication, and Women’s Sociology. Authorities said these subjects “conflict with Sharia principles and government policy.”
The move comes as part of a series of restrictions imposed since the Taliban regained power four years ago. Earlier this week, fibre-optic internet was banned in at least 10 provinces on the orders of the Taliban’s supreme leader, who claimed it was to prevent immorality.
Women and girls have been hit hardest by these policies.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelThey are already barred from education beyond the sixth grade, and midwifery courses—one of the last training routes for women—were shut down in late 2024.
A member of the Taliban’s curriculum review committee confirmed that “all books authored by women are not allowed to be taught.” Former Afghan officials and academics have criticized the decision, warning it will further isolate Afghanistan’s education system.
The ban also targets Iranian writers and publishers, with over 300 Iranian titles blacklisted to “prevent infiltration of Iranian content.” This has raised concerns among Afghan professors, who say Iranian books and translations have been vital in connecting Afghanistan’s universities with global academia.
Lecturers fear the removals will create a huge void in higher education, leaving them to prepare restricted teaching material under Taliban guidelines, which may not meet international academic standards.
(KNS)