Taliban Senior Official Calls for End to Education Bans on Women, Girls

A senior Taliban figure has publicly urged the group’s leadership to lift bans on education for Afghan women and girls, marking a rare challenge to government policy, Arab News reported. Sher Abbas Stanikzai, the political deputy at the Foreign Ministry, made his remarks during a speech at a religious school ceremony in Khost province, emphasizing that there are no justifications for denying education to females.

The Taliban government has restricted education for girls beyond the sixth grade and has reportedly halted medical training for women, although this ban has not been officially confirmed. Stanikzai stated that depriving 20 million people of their rights is unjust and inconsistent with Islamic law.

This statement represents Stanikzai’s most direct appeal to Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada for a policy change. Analysts note that while Stanikzai has previously advocated for girls’ education, this latest call questions the legitimacy of the current approach.

Internationally, pressure continues to mount on the Taliban regarding women’s rights. Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai recently urged Muslim leaders to confront the Taliban on these issues. The UN has indicated that recognition of the Taliban remains unlikely as long as bans on female education and employment persist.