The Taliban government has removed books written by women from Afghanistan’s university teaching system. The ban also outlaws the teaching of human rights and sexual harassment.
Officials identified 680 books as “of concern,” including 140 authored by women. Titles such as Safety in the Chemical Laboratory were among the banned works.
Universities were told not to teach 18 subjects. A Taliban official said these topics conflict with Sharia principles and the government’s policies.
This decree continues a series of restrictions the Taliban have introduced since regaining power four years ago. Earlier this week, authorities banned fibre-optic internet in at least 10 provinces, citing a need to prevent “immorality.”
Women and girls have been hardest hit. They remain barred from education beyond the sixth grade. In late 2024, one of their last paths to further training was cut when midwifery courses were quietly closed.
Now, university subjects about women are also targeted. Six of the banned courses focus specifically on women, including Gender and Development, The Role of Women in Communication, and Women’s Sociology.
The Taliban government claims it respects women’s rights according to Afghan culture and Islamic law.
A Void in Education
A member of the book review committee confirmed the ban to BBC Afghan: “All books authored by women are not allowed to be taught.”
Zakia Adeli, a former deputy justice minister and one of the affected authors, said the move was predictable.
“Considering what the Taliban have done over the past four years, it was not far-fetched to expect changes in the curriculum,” she said. “When women are barred from studying, it is natural that their views, ideas, and writings are suppressed.”
The new guidelines were issued in late August. Ziaur Rahman Aryubi, deputy academic director of the Ministry of Higher Education, said a panel of “religious scholars and experts” approved the decisions.
In addition to women authors, the ban targeted Iranian books. A review panel member told the BBC the measure aimed to prevent Iranian influence in Afghan curricula.
The 50-page list included 679 titles, 310 of which were authored or published in Iran.
Tensions between Afghanistan and Iran have complicated the issue. The countries have clashed over water rights, and Iran has returned over 1.5 million Afghan nationals since January amid rising anti-Afghan sentiment.
Lecturers worry the ban will create major gaps in education. One professor, speaking anonymously, said Iranian books form the primary link between Afghan universities and the global academic community. Their removal leaves a “substantial void in higher education.”
At Kabul University, professors now prepare textbook chapters themselves, following the Taliban’s restrictions. However, they question whether these chapters can meet global academic standards.
