Afghan Women's Voices: Taliban Now Bans Books By Female Authors In Universities

The Taliban allegedly ordered the removal of books written by women in Afghanistan's universities on September 19. Around 140 books by female authors were among 679 books that were found to be of “concern” due to “anti-Sharia and Taliban policies," according to BBC. Titles including "Safety in the Chemical Laboratory" and subjects about human rights and sexual harassment have been outlawed, with a Taliban official saying they were "in conflict with the principles of Sharia and the system's policy".

Taliban's crackdown on education

BBC Afghan reported that Taliban’s deputy higher education minister, Ziaur Rahman Aryoubi, said in a letter to the universities that the decisions had been taken by a panel of “religious scholars and experts” and that the banned books should be replaced with course materials that “do not conflict with Islam”. 

According to the BBC report, six of the 18 banned subjects are specifically about women, including Gender and Development, The Role of Women in Communication, and Women's Sociology. The Taliban government has said it respects women's rights in accordance with their interpretation of Afghan culture and Islamic law. 

Sources in Kabul told the Independent Persian that the ban on such a large number of textbooks would cripple the country’s higher education system, as universities will now have to dedicate significant resources to finding and acquiring replacements. Alongside books by women, a further 300 written by Iranian authors or issued by Iranian publishers are being targeted, which, according to sources, was to “prevent the infiltration of Iranian content” into the country’s curriculum.

Bans Placed on Women in Afghanistan

The new education rules are the latest in a series of restrictions on women's education, voices, and identity, which the Taliban have brought in since returning to power in 2021. Just days ago, fibre-optic internet was banned in at least 10 provinces in Afghanistan to "prevent immorality", on the orders of the Taliban's supreme leader.

The Taliban came has barred education for girls above sixth grade (age 12), arguing that it "does not comply with its interpretation of Islam." In December 2022, women were prohibited from higher education. Some female students who had been admitted were expelled. In late 2024, the Taliban shut down midwifery, nursing, and similar health-related programs for women.

Apart from this, women have been told to stay home from government jobs. Women cannot travel long distances without a male guardian (mahram). They are also expected to follow a strict dress code, requiring a full-body covering (burqa or niqab). Even female singers and music are banned; women are barred from radio dramas and commercials.