The Impact of Five Years of Bans
According to a statement released by UNESCO on August 11, 2026, Afghanistan has become the only country in the world that formally prohibits girls and women from accessing secondary and higher education. Five years after the Taliban regained power in 2021, an estimated 2.4 million girls have been prevented from attending secondary school. This figure represents an increase of 200,000 girls compared to the previous year and one million more than the 2024 estimate.
The regime, which initially promised the international community to respect educational rights, closed secondary schools for girls in March 2022 and banned university access in December 2022, leaving more than 100,000 young women without the possibility of pursuing higher studies. Taliban authorities described these measures as temporary, but they remain in effect under the argument of respecting their strict interpretation of Islamic law.
UNESCO projects that if the ban continues, almost 4 million girls could be deprived of secondary education by 2030. The economic impact would also be devastating: it is estimated that 600,000 women will have left the labor market by 2066, generating an accumulated income loss of 9.6 billion dollars.
The Afghan educational system is suffering widespread deterioration. More than 2 million children of primary school age remain out of school, and 90% of children under 10 cannot read a simple text. By 2030, a shortage of more than 11,000 qualified female teachers is projected, affecting the country's recovery capacity. Furthermore, since 2021, more than 1,000 schools have closed due to earthquakes and floods.
Karishma: The Voice of Resilience and Hope
In the midst of adversity, stories of bravery illuminate the path. As reported by the Spanish newspaper El País, Karishma, a 24-year-old young woman studying Computer Science, saw her future interrupted when the Taliban closed the universities. After trying to continue her studies in Iran, she was intercepted at the border on three occasions, with authorities arguing that women cannot travel abroad to study without a male guardian.
My dream has been postponed, but it has not disappeared. Our story is not just a tale of loss; it is also one of resilience, courage, and hope.
Karishma became an activist to demand the fundamental rights snatched away from Afghan women, proving that the spirit of thousands of women remains alive and willing to fight for a better future.
The International Community's Response
In response to the closure of formal education pathways, UNESCO has developed community literacy and training programs in 20 provinces and more than 2,600 localities. Since 2021, nearly 70,000 young people have participated in these initiatives, of which 70% are girls and women. For many, these classes represent a source of dignity and hope in the face of uncertainty.
The UN agency demands the immediate and unconditional restoration of the right to education, arguing that Afghan women have the right to learn, work, and forge their own future. With the support of the international community, the light of knowledge could shine again in Afghan classrooms.
Sources: El Destape, Infobae, and El País.