Taliban Minister Calls for End to Ban on Afghan Women’s Education: A Push for Change and Empowerment

In a surprising turn of events, a senior Taliban leader has openly criticized the government’s ban on female education in Afghanistan. Sher Abbas Stanikzai, the deputy foreign minister, referred to the ban as a “personal choice” and not aligned with Islamic law.

This statement is significant, especially as many around the world continue to urge the Taliban to allow girls to attend secondary schools and to lift restrictions on women’s involvement in public life. Since taking control in 2021, the Taliban has enforced strict interpretations of Sharia that limit girls’ education after the sixth grade and largely exclude women from the workplace.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony in Khost province, Stanikzai said, “We call on the leadership of the Islamic Emirate to make education accessible to everyone.” He firmly stated that there is no justification for denying education, emphasizing that the refusal to educate girls is an injustice against 20 million people in Afghanistan.

Stanikzai expressed concern about how the world views the Taliban due to these restrictions, acknowledging that the government’s treatment of women has hindered international recognition. He asked, “Are we truly following Sharia? The path we are on is guided by personal choice, not Sharia.”

Historically, there has been a strong resistance within the Taliban to challenges against its policies. Stanikzai’s remarks are one of the more direct criticisms of the rules established by Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, particularly those that severely limit women’s rights.

The Taliban regained power after years of conflict with U.S.-led forces, which withdrew from Afghanistan in August 2021. Leading up to this, Stanikzai was involved in negotiations that helped bring the Taliban back into power.

Earlier this month, Stanikzai praised Donald Trump, calling him a “decisive” leader and expressed hopes for improved relations between the Taliban and the U.S. under a potential new Trump administration.

The international community, including the United Nations, continues to advocate for women’s rights in Afghanistan. Human rights organizations have condemned the Taliban’s strict policies, which include a law that forbids women from traveling without a male guardian and mandates that they cover their faces in public.

As the situation evolves, Stanikzai’s remarks signal a potential shift in the Taliban’s internal discussions. The hope is that these debates might open the door for changes in policy that support women’s education and rights in Afghanistan.