An abrupt end to progress

Since the Taliban took over the country two years ago, the situation and educational opportunities for children in Afghanistan have deteriorated – especially for girls.

Von Javier Luque & Gianna Main

Prior to the Taliban’s takeover, there was a strong upward trend in education in Afghanistan, mainly for boys but also for girls. While school enrolments were close to zero in 2001, they climbed to 5 million students in 2005 and rose as high as 9.5 million students in 2018. Girls’ schooling led to increased college attendance for girls and more participation from women in the country’s economy. Between 2001 and 2018, the number of women attending university increased from 5,000 to 90,000. During that time, women played an increasingly important role in the economy, and their participation contributed to Afghanistan‘s economic growth.

In August 2021, two decades of progress came to an abrupt end. Since then, female secondary school students have not been allowed to return to class, and women have been denied access to universities. Girls may attend school up to sixth grade. All other girls and young women must stay at home. Publicly, the de facto government keeps promising that female secondary school and university students will soon be allowed to return to class. However, no one knows when schools and universities will reopen.