Afghan Girls Seek Education Amid Ongoing School Ban

AFAfghanistan|

Afghan girls over the age of 12 remain barred from traditional schooling for the fourth consecutive year, following the Taliban's return to power. According to UNICEF, this decision has affected more than one million girls, thrusting many into madrassas—Islamic educational centers—where they study subjects like Quranic texts, Hadith, and basic educational skills. Amina, a 15-year-old aspiring doctor, expressed her despair upon learning she could no longer attend school, stating, “All my dreams were shattered.”

Founded by Hamid Nowrouzi, the Al-Hadith madrassa offers some hope, combining religious courses with subjects like midwifery and first aid, although Taliban restrictions have curtailed medical training for women. The Shaikh Abdul Qadr Jilani madrassa, accommodating over 1,800 students, also offers religious and some academic instruction but lacks comprehensive educational resources.

Human rights experts, including UN special rapporteur Richard Bennett, have raised alarms about the Taliban's restrictive education system. He warned that limited educational opportunities could foster radical ideologies. Despite the challenges, Amina remains hopeful for the future, aspiring to one day fulfill her dreams of becoming a heart surgeon.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from Afghanistan

Afghan Girls' Dreams Derailed as Schools Remain Closed

Afghan girls continue to face significant barriers in accessing education, as the Taliban's ban on schooling for those over 12 years old persists for the fourth consecutive year. Amina, a 15-year-old aspiring doctor, recounts the emotional impact of being told she could no longer attend school, stating, "All my dreams were shattered." UNICEF estimates that over one million girls are affected by this prohibition. With mainstream schools closed, many girls are turning to madrassas, which focus on Islamic teachings but offer limited academic subjects. Hamid, Amina’s brother, founded the Al-Hadith madrassa in Kabul to provide a blend of religious and academic education. He emphasizes that his sister's return to any form of schooling has positively impacted her wellbeing. Concerns remain, however, regarding the content taught at madrassas and the potential for ideological indoctrination. Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, has warned that this limited education could lead to the fostering of radical ideologies. While Taliban officials claim about three million students attend these institutions, no clear timeline for lifting the ban on girls' education has been established.
AFAfghanistan

Report Reveals Alarming Civilian Toll from Drone Strikes in Africa

A report by Drone Wars UK reveals that nearly 1,000 civilians have been killed and hundreds injured due to military drone strikes across Africa from November 2021 to November 2024. The study highlights at least 50 confirmed incidents of drone attacks in six African conflicts, including Sudan, Somalia, and Mali, where armed forces utilized imported drones like Turkey's Bayraktar TB2. Cora Morris, a representative of Drone Wars UK, emphasized the need for the international community to implement a control regime to mitigate civilian casualties, stating, “We are highly likely to see more examples of the killing of civilians from the use of armed drones.” The report claims that drone strikes in Ethiopia alone accounted for over 490 civilian deaths, primarily targeting the Tigray People’s Liberation Front. Additionally, drone strikes in Burkina Faso and Mali have also led to significant civilian fatalities, with researchers asserting that the proliferation of drones is causing grave harm to civilians in densely populated areas. The report categorizes the civilian death toll as a conservative estimate of more than 940 victims, calling for urgent global actions to address this growing crisis.
AFAfghanistan

Drone Strikes in Africa Result in Nearly 1,000 Civilians Killed, Report Finds

A recent report by Drone Wars UK highlights the alarming rise of military drone strikes across Africa, resulting in the deaths of nearly 1,000 civilians and hundreds more injured in the last three years. The report, titled "Death on Delivery," reveals at least 50 confirmed lethal attacks by armed forces across six African conflicts, including Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia. Cora Morris from Drone Wars UK emphasized the urgent need for international regulation to prevent further civilian casualties, stating, "Unless the international community moves rapidly towards developing and implementing a new control regime...we are highly likely to see more examples of the killing of civilians from the use of armed drones." Notably, Ethiopian drone strikes against the Tigray People's Liberation Front accounted for over 490 civilian deaths. In Burkina Faso, military drone strikes have also resulted in the deaths of over 100 civilians. The report underscores that most armed drones are imported from Turkey, China, and Iran, which further fuels the humanitarian crisis in the region, particularly during conflicts conducted in densely populated areas.
AFAfghanistan
All Afghanistan News ->