Taliban have barred 2.4 million Afghan girls from school since 2021, UNESCO says

August 12, 2026

By Reuters

  • UNESCO says Afghanistan is only country formally banning girls and women from secondary and higher education
  • Education ban could push 600,000 Afghan women out of workforce by 2066, UNESCO says
  • UNESCO estimates Afghanistan faces deficit ​of more than 11,000 qualified female teachers by 2030
PARIS/KABUL, Aug 11 (Reuters) – The Taliban have barred an estimated 2.4 ‌million Afghan girls from secondary education since they regained power in Afghanistan in 2021, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization said on Tuesday.
The Taliban are preparing to mark the fifth anniversary of their return to power this week, as some nations expand ties with the government despite deepening ​human rights concerns among watchdogs..
Afghanistan is the only country where girls and women are formally banned from secondary and higher ​education, UNESCO said in its statement. It “risks condemning Afghanistan to decades of lost potential, deepening poverty, ⁠and irreversible harm,” the agency said.
UNESCO estimates the ban on female secondary and higher education could cause 600,000 Afghan women to ​leave the workforce by 2066, lead to $9.6 billion in cumulative income losses and increase the risk of early marriage.
The Taliban-run Ministry of ​Education did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

SCHOOLS CLOSED TO GIRLS IN 2022

When the Taliban returned to power in 2021 amid the withdrawal of the United States and its allies, they repeatedly assured the international community that women would remain free to go to school and to study.
Despite ​those promises, secondary schools were closed for girls in March 2022, followed by a ban on women studying in universities in December ​2022. The Taliban described both bans as temporary, but they have remained in place.
Taliban restrictions also limit women’s employment and their movement.
The Taliban argue ‌they respect ⁠women’s rights in accordance with their interpretation of Islamic law and Afghan culture.
Restrictions on women pursuing higher education in Afghanistan are also expected to exacerbate a shortage of female teachers, with more than 2 million primary school children already out of school for reasons other than the bans on girls and women, UNESCO said.
UNESCO estimates Afghanistan will have a deficit of more than 11,000 qualified ​female teachers by 2030.
“Many teachers have ​left the country … and those ⁠who were in the system are banned from continuing teaching,” Hoda Jaberian, the UNESCO programme coordinator for education in emergencies, said in a briefing.
“This decision to ban women from teaching boys has ​not only, of course, removed a substantial number of qualified teachers and educators from the education ​system, but it ⁠also resulted in boys being taught by unqualified male teachers,” Jaberian added. “We are left with unqualified male teachers or no teachers at all.”
UNESCO said over 90% of 10-year-olds cannot read a simple text, with national literacy rates at 37%.
Many schools are overcrowded and poorly equipped. Nearly ⁠half of ​schools lack water, sanitation or heating, UNESCO said.
In 2025 alone, 3 million people ​returned to Afghanistan, either forcibly or voluntarily, placing further pressure on the schools. Since 2021, natural disasters including earthquakes and floods have forced the closure of 1,000 ​schools, UNESCO said.

Reporting by Lewis Macdonald and Mohammad Yunus Yawar; Writing by Makini Brice; Editing by Toby Chopra, Rick Noack, Rod Nickel

Taliban have barred 2.4 million Afghan girls from school since 2021, UNESCO says
read more

RSF Says Afghanistan’s Media Rules Have Deepened Press Restrictions

August 10, 2026
Khaama Press

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says Afghanistan’s legal and regulatory system has been increasingly used to restrict independent journalism since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.

In a report marking five years since the Taliban takeover, RSF reviewed more than 20 nationwide orders, along with provincial directives and verbal instructions issued between September 2021 and January 2026. The organization said the measures have progressively controlled what media outlets can report, who can appear or speak on air and how journalists cover political issues.

RSF said the restrictions have affected criticism of officials, international media broadcasts, women’s participation in broadcasting, live political programs, guest selection and the use of images of living beings.

The organization said nationwide restrictions began weeks after the August 2021 takeover, when authorities introduced journalism principles prohibiting content deemed contrary to Islam or offensive to national figures. Media outlets were also instructed to coordinate detailed reports with authorities and adopt official terminology when referring to the government.

Restrictions on women in media expanded over subsequent years. RSF cited rules requiring female television presenters to cover their faces and later measures restricting women’s voices in radio and public information programs.

RSF said restrictions also targeted international broadcasts and political programming. Afghan media outlets were barred from rebroadcasting Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty programs on FM frequencies, while later directives restricted live political programs and required prior approval for guests and experts.

The organization said provincial authorities have imposed additional rules, particularly in Kandahar, including restrictions on women’s voices, reporting access and terminology used for Taliban officials.

RSF also raised concerns over Afghanistan’s January 2026 criminal procedures regulation, saying its broad provisions could potentially be used against journalists and commentators and could weaken source confidentiality.

RSF said the restrictions represent a progression from controlling media content to regulating terminology, women’s participation, political programming and ultimately the potential use of judicial mechanisms against critical reporting.

The organization called for the repeal of rules that restrict journalism on the basis of what it described as vague religious, moral or “national interest” provisions.

RSF Says Afghanistan’s Media Rules Have Deepened Press Restrictions
read more

NRC Chief: World Is Turning a Blind Eye to Afghanistan’s Growing Crisis

August 10, 2026
Khaama Press

Afghanistan is facing mounting humanitarian and economic pressures as more than six million Afghans have returned from neighbouring countries since late 2023, with 73% of returnees unemployed, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said.

Jan Egeland, secretary-general of the NRC, said Monday, August 10, that the scale of returns was placing additional pressure on communities already struggling with poverty, unemployment and limited access to basic services.

We are increasingly left alone in the face of growing needs and shrinking rights for girls and women across Afghanistan, Egeland said, accusing NATO member states of failing to maintain sufficient support for Afghan civilians.

The NRC said the large-scale returns were adding pressure to housing, healthcare, education, food security and other essential services, while many returnees were struggling to find work and rebuild their livelihoods.

The organization said 73% of Afghans who have returned are unemployed, highlighting the difficulty of reintegrating large numbers of people into an economy already facing limited employment opportunities.

Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation is also being compounded by recurring climate-related disasters, including droughts and floods. The NRC said these pressures are occurring alongside restrictions on women and girls, including their continued exclusion from secondary and higher education and restrictions on employment.

The organization warned that the combination of mass returns, unemployment, climate shocks and deteriorating rights is increasing the vulnerability of millions of Afghans and placing further strain on already limited humanitarian resources.

Egeland called for sustained international attention and support for Afghanistan, saying growing humanitarian needs require continued assistance as well as greater protection of the rights of women and girls.

The NRC’s warning comes as Afghanistan continues to absorb large numbers of returnees from neighbouring countries, increasing the pressure on communities and humanitarian organizations to provide shelter, livelihoods and basic services.

NRC Chief: World Is Turning a Blind Eye to Afghanistan’s Growing Crisis
read more

Tehran Praises Islamic Emirate’s Policy During Iran War

August 10, 2026
TOLOnews
TV Network
10 August 2026

Iran maintains close relations with the Islamic Emirate.

Iran’s president says the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has cooperated well with Tehran in preventing foreign elements from entering Iranian territory.

According to Masoud Pezeshkian, during the conflict between Iran and the United States, Afghanistan deployed groups to manage the situation along its borders and prevented anyone from entering Iran through Afghan territory.

Masoud Pezeshkian, president of Iran, said: “Both Afghanistan and Pakistan deployed groups to control the situation and announced that no one had the right to enter Iran from their territories and create unrest inside our country.”

Meanwhile, the Iranian Embassy in Kabul has announced that the second meeting of the Coordination Committee for Foreign Economic Relations was held at Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The embassy said representatives of government agencies at the meeting emphasized strengthening economic diplomacy and expanding transit cooperation with neighboring countries.

A statement from the Iranian Embassy in Kabul said: “The second meeting of the Coordination Committee for Foreign Economic Relations was held under the chairmanship of the deputy foreign minister for economic diplomacy. Representatives of government agencies emphasized strengthening economic and transit diplomacy with neighboring and like-minded countries.”

Yousuf Aiman Zazi, a political analyst, said: “The Iranian president’s remarks show that Afghans pose no threat to others. However, we have some concerns regarding Iran, including the treatment of migrants and the execution of prisoners. We hope attention will be paid to these issues.”

Iran maintains close relations with the Islamic Emirate. The deputy head of Iran’s embassy in Kabul previously said that Tehran does not support groups opposed to the Islamic Emirate.

Tehran Praises Islamic Emirate’s Policy During Iran War
read more

Kabul Prepares to Mark 5th Anniversary of Islamic Emirate’s Return to Power

August 10, 2026
Mursaleen Muwahed
Multilingual Journalist & Social Media Editor
Tolo News
10 August 2026

Across different parts of the city, flags, banners, and commemorative signs are being installed, and preparations are still underway.

Kabul is preparing to mark 24 Asad (solar month), the fifth anniversary of the Islamic Emirate’s return to power in Afghanistan.

Across different parts of the city, flags, banners, and commemorative signs are being installed, and preparations are still underway.

Nisar Ahmad, a Kabul resident, said: “Extensive preparations have been made across the city for the ceremony. The appearance of the city has changed significantly, and the preparations are still continuing.”

Toofan, a worker involved in decorating the city, said: “We are decorating and lighting different intersections in Kabul for 24 Asad.”

Some Kabul residents have welcomed the commemoration, while also stressing the need to address people’s daily problems.

Wahdatullah, a Kabul resident, said: “Over the past five years under the Islamic Emirate, justice has been established, administrative corruption has dropped to zero, and narcotics have decreased.”

The preparations are not limited to Kabul. The Ministry of Information and Culture says cultural and commemorative programs will also be held in a number of provinces to mark the fifth anniversary of the Islamic Emirate’s return.

Khabib Ghufran, spokesperson for the Ministry of Information and Culture, said: “Our effort is to make this year’s program more people-centered than in previous years.”

At the same time, some citizens say the Islamic Emirate should pay greater attention in the coming years to education, employment, and the economy.

Noor Ayoub, a Kabul resident, said: “Our request to the Islamic Emirate is that in the coming years it should work more than before in the areas of education, the economy, and the development of the country.”

24 Asad marks the day in 1400 when the Islamic Emirate, after entering Kabul, regained power in Afghanistan.

Kabul Prepares to Mark 5th Anniversary of Islamic Emirate’s Return to Power
read more

Afghanistan: UN tells Taliban to open up on abuses committed by security forces

August 10, 2026

Five years into Taliban rule, Afghans still have almost no way of knowing whether soldiers, police and morality officers who abuse their power ever face consequences – and that secrecy is corroding trust in the State, the UN said Monday.

Headquarters of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in Kabul.
UN Photo/Tilak Pokharel Headquarters of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in Kabul.
Key points
  • The Taliban have taken steps to promote discipline and oversight according to a new report by the UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)
  • However, these steps have lack sufficient transparency on oversight and accountability measures, for such institutions as the Supreme Court
  • UNAMA recommendations include strengthening accountability by clarifying the rules governing the use of force, arrest, detention, searches and crowd policing

Five years after the Taliban seized power, such grave concerns as human rights violations, detention and discrimination against women and girls continue to be consistently raised by UN agencies and partners, from UN Women to the Security Council.

Since the takeover, UNAMA has monitored the situation of governance, rule of law, security and human rights across Afghanistan, including developments in domestic law, the criminal justice system and respect for victims’ rights.

UNAMA reports have already highlighted a significant lack of public information on the status of investigations or actions to hold perpetrators of human rights violations to account.

Insufficient transparency

While de facto authorities have taken some positive steps, there has not been enough transparency on oversight and accountability measures, the report highlights.

The findings examined bodies such as the so-called Security and Filtration Commission and the Ministry of Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, which were set up according to the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Sharia Law, replacing the former democratic constitution.

“The limited amount of public information on complaints received, investigations conducted and disciplinary or judicial actions taken by relevant de facto bodies undermine confidence and weaken deterrence,” said Georgette Gagnon, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of UNAMA.

She said the suspension of the constitution had resulted in “a blanket annulment of all former [existing] laws”.

Unresolved complaints

In the report, UNAMA documented instances where the de facto authorities conducted arrests and investigations of reported misconduct of security personnel – some of which were referred to Taliban military courts.

At the same time, many complaints reportedly remain unresolved, the report found.

Elements which are discouraging people from coming forward include fear of reprisals, lack of trust in institutions and barriers, particularly for women who are subjected to multiple restrictions in their daily lives, the report found.

Accountability

Ms. Gagnon said visible and consistent accountability measures should ensure that rules are applied equally and to every person, including those in positions of authority.

“Improving accountability is a legal obligation of the de facto authorities and a necessary step towards improving governance and respect for human rights, which support Afghanistan’s stability and its compliance with international obligations as a basis for the country’s reintegration into the international community,” she said.

UNAMA recommended de facto authorities strengthen accountability across all security institutions by ensuring that clear rules, procedures and codes of conduct are in place, consistent with international standards.

This includes clarifying the rules governing the use of force, arrest, detention, searches and crowd policing, establishing clear standards of professional conduct and requiring all personnel to report misconduct, with commanders responsible for enforcing discipline.

Read the full report here.

Afghanistan: UN tells Taliban to open up on abuses committed by security forces
read more

Pakistan Plans to Reopen Border Trade Routes With Afghanistan After 300 Days

August 10, 2026
Khaama Press

 

Pakistan has reportedly decided to reopen its major border crossings and transit routes with Afghanistan after nearly 300 days of restrictions that have disrupted bilateral trade, stranded cargo and imposed heavy costs on businesses and transporters on both sides.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi made the decision during a meeting with senior government officials and representatives of the country’s business community, according to the Pakistani newspaper Minute Mirror.

The reported decision calls for the reopening of major border crossings and transit routes between Pakistan and Afghanistan and measures to remove obstacles to bilateral trade and facilitate the movement of commercial goods.

The meeting also discussed facilitating legal travel between the two countries, although no specific decision on passenger movement was reported.

Pakistan’s government has not yet publicly confirmed the reported decision or announced a timetable for reopening the crossings.

The main trade routes between the two countries have remained heavily restricted since October 2025 amid escalating political tensions and border clashes. Key crossings affected include Torkham in Nangarhar, Spin Boldak-Chaman in Kandahar and Balochistan, Ghulam Khan in Khost, Kharlachi in Paktia and Angoor Adda in Paktika.

The prolonged restrictions have caused significant economic losses. Afghan and Pakistani traders, transport companies and businesses in border communities have reported declining activity, while large numbers of trucks and commercial consignments have remained stranded along the routes.

Pakistan’s customs authorities reported in October 2025 that hundreds of vehicles were stranded at Torkham and Chaman after trade was suspended, including transit consignments awaiting clearance.

The economic impact has also been felt in Pakistani border towns. Dawn reported in July that the prolonged closure of Torkham had severely affected businesses in Landi Kotal, with local traders describing the downturn as among the worst they had experienced since the closure began.

For Afghanistan, the disruption has pushed traders to seek alternative supply routes through Iran and Central Asia. Some businesses have indicated that they may be reluctant to immediately return to Pakistani routes even if commercial traffic resumes, after investing in alternative supply chains during the prolonged closure.

Torkham has previously been partially reopened to facilitate the return of Afghan migrants, but commercial traffic and regular passenger movement remained restricted.

A full reopening would therefore provide significant relief to traders, transporters and border communities and could restore one of the most important trade corridors between South and Central Asia.

However, the reported move remains closely tied to the broader security dispute between Islamabad and Kabul. Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of using Afghanistan territory to plan and carry out attacks inside Pakistan. The authorities in Kabul have rejected the allegations and said Afghanistan territory will not be used against other countries.

The dispute over cross-border militancy has contributed to repeated border tensions and trade disruptions, making security arrangements a key factor in the restoration of normal commercial traffic.

Pakistan Plans to Reopen Border Trade Routes With Afghanistan After 300 Days
read more

9 Private Universities in Afghanistan Face Suspension or Licence Revocation

August 10, 2026
Khaama Press

 

Nine private higher-education institutions in Afghanistan have had their operating licences suspended or revoked over alleged “ghost students,” administrative deficiencies and violations of academic requirements.

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Higher Education, controlled by the Taliban, announced Sunday that the licences of seven institutions had been suspended for one year, while two others had their licences permanently revoked following an inspection and assessment conducted during the spring semester of the 1405 Afghanistan solar year.

The institutions whose activities have been suspended for one year are Barlas University in Jawzjan, Rah-e Saadat and Turkistan universities in Balkh, Azhar and Barna universities in Badakhshan, Rashad University in Faryab and Payam University in Kabul.

The ministry said the licences of Kohanduz University in Kunduz and Khana-e Danish University in Takhar had been permanently revoked.

According to the ministry, inspections found cases in which institutions allegedly maintained “ghost students,” failed to keep proper attendance records, admitted students who had been barred from education to final examinations and lacked required administrative and academic structures.

The ministry also cited inadequate laboratory equipment for medical students, failure to teach the curriculum approved by the ministry and insufficient opportunities for medical students to complete practical training in hospitals.

The ministry said some institutions had scheduled classes but classrooms were found to have no students attending.

The latest action comes amid wider pressure on Afghanistan’s higher-education sector, which has undergone major changes since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Restrictions on women and girls have had a particularly significant impact on universities and private higher-education institutions.

UNESCO has reported that the exclusion of women and girls from higher education has posed a major threat to the private higher-education sector. Female students and instructors have been forced to leave institutions, while private universities lost about 28% of their income after restrictions on women’s higher education took effect. UNESCO also reported that 31% of private universities were at risk of closure because of financial difficulties.

The decline in female participation has been accompanied by a broader contraction in higher education. According to UNESCO figures cited by international media, female university enrolment had fallen to zero by 2024, while overall male enrolment also declined significantly.

The authorities have also introduced tighter controls over university curricula and academic life, while international organisations have repeatedly called for Afghan girls and women to be allowed to return to secondary schools and universities.

More than 120 private higher-education institutions are operating across 34 Afghanistan provinces, according to the Ministry of Higher Education. A significant proportion of these institutions provide medical education.

The latest licensing decisions could add further pressure to an already weakened higher-education sector, although the ministry says the measures are aimed at addressing academic, administrative and regulatory violations.

9 Private Universities in Afghanistan Face Suspension or Licence Revocation
read more

Russia Eyes Railway Route to India Through Afghanistan

August 10, 2026
TOLOnews
TV Network
9 August 2026

Under this proposal, Afghanistan, due to its geographical location, could serve as a transit corridor connecting Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan.

Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister says Moscow is seeking to develop alternative railway routes to access the Indian Ocean, and Afghanistan could serve as a key link in such a route.

Marat Khusnullin, speaking to Russian media, stressed that given potential risks in the Strait of Hormuz, Russia should explore alternative options for transporting goods and accessing South Asian markets. One option, he said, could be a railway route connecting Russia to India through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Marat Khusnullin, Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister, said: “Rail access to the Indian Ocean should also be considered. If there are risks in the Bosporus and Hormuz straits, alternative routes through Turkmenistan, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan may be needed. Any option for reaching India is acceptable.”

Under this proposal, Afghanistan, due to its geographical location, could serve as a transit corridor connecting Central Asia, Iran and Pakistan. If implemented, the project could also pave the way for Afghanistan’s railway network to connect with regional transportation networks.

Azrakhsh Hafizi, former head of the Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Investment, said: “Afghanistan’s geo-economic importance will increase with the passage of this railway route, particularly because it will connect India and Russia. India is a major market for Russian products.”

In recent years, Russia has emphasized developing land and railway transport routes toward the south and reducing its dependence on maritime routes that are vulnerable to geopolitical developments.

Russia Eyes Railway Route to India Through Afghanistan
read more

Turabi: World Looking for Excuses Not to Recognize Islamic Emirate

August 10, 2026
Hadia Ziaei
Tolo News
9 August 2026
Turabi also said that dialogue is the only solution to tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.
Nooruddin Turabi, Director General of the National Disaster Management Authority, says, as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan approaches its fifth anniversary, that the world is looking for excuses not to recognize the Islamic Emirate.

In the interview, Turabi also cited internal conflicts and opposition from other countries, particularly the United States, to the establishment of an Islamic system in Afghanistan as factors behind the fall of the Islamic Emirate’s first government.

He said: “The Sharia should not be violated, and our relations with the world should also improve. We seek better relations with the entire world through dialogue, so that every country recognizes us and we recognize them.”

Turabi also said that dialogue is the only solution to tensions between Kabul and Islamabad.

He added: “Rather than complaining about each other, it is better to acknowledge the good we have done for one another and resolve these challenges through dialogue.”

Turabi also assured citizens, particularly those affected by natural disasters, that the authority provides timely and transparent assistance. However, he criticized what he described as a lack of transparency in humanitarian aid provided by international organizations.

Turabi said: “Some organizations have come to us that spend 70 percent of their total aid on administrative costs. We tell them that they should spend 30 to 50 percent out of every 100 on administrative costs, but no more than that. This is a challenge for us.”

In another part of his remarks, Turabi described climate change and natural disasters as among the challenges facing the country. He also criticized the exclusion of Islamic Emirate representatives from international meetings on climate change.

Turabi: World Looking for Excuses Not to Recognize Islamic Emirate
read more

Recent Posts