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In a sweeping move that has drawn global condemnation, the Taliban government in Afghanistan has removed nearly 700 academic books from university curricula—including over 140 titles authored by women. The decision, announced by the Ministry of Higher Education, marks a stark escalation in the regime’s restrictions on intellectual freedom and gender inclusion.
Among the banned subjects are Women’s Studies, Gender Development, and Sociology—fields that had gained traction in Afghan universities over the past two decades. These disciplines are now deemed “un-Islamic” by a panel of religious scholars appointed by the Taliban, who claim the materials promote values incompatible with their interpretation of Sharia law.
The purge affects both public and private institutions, and faculty members have been instructed to revise syllabi immediately. Students report that entire courses have been canceled, and libraries are being cleared of previously approved texts. The move has left many educators in fear—not only for academic integrity, but for their personal safety.
International human rights organizations have condemned the decision, calling it a violation of women’s rights and academic freedom. The United Nations and several Western governments have urged the Taliban to reverse course, warning that such policies will further isolate Afghanistan and deepen its humanitarian crisis.
For Afghan women, the ban is more than symbolic—it’s a barrier to education, expression, and empowerment. Many had hoped that higher education would remain a space for progress, even under Taliban rule. Instead, they face a shrinking horizon of opportunity.
This development underscores a broader pattern of repression since the Taliban’s return to power. From banning girls from secondary schools to restricting female employment, the regime continues to dismantle the gains made over the past two decades.
The removal of female-authored books is not just an attack on gender equality—it’s an erasure of voices, ideas, and futures. As the academic world watches in alarm, the question remains: how long can knowledge be silenced before resistance finds a new form?