The Taliban’s higher education authority has recently ordered the removal of hundreds of textbooks — including those written by women — from university curricula across Afghanistan. In a sweeping directive issued in late August and made public in mid-September 2025, universities were instructed to stop using 679 textbooks flagged as “problematic.” Of these, 140 books are authored by women, while 310 originate from Iranian authors or publishers.
The decision came from a review panel made up of religious scholars and experts who evaluated books for alignment with Taliban interpretations of Sharia. Beyond banning books, the directive also discontinued 18 university subjects, six of which are focused on women (e.g. Women’s Sociology, Gender & Development).
Critics warn that these moves further limit academic freedoms, suppress women’s voices, and isolate Afghan higher education from global scholarship and discourse. Teachers and students note that courses and books removed often addressed human rights, global politics, and modern sciences — fields essential for critical thinking and progress.
While the Taliban says these changes are necessary to ensure compliance with their religious values, international observers, rights groups, and many Afghan scholars are expressing concern over the long-term impact on women’s education and academic independence.
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