Following the announcement of this year’s university entrance exam (Kankor) schedule, Heather Barr, Associate Director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, stated that the Taliban’s ongoing restrictions against women have deprived Afghanistan of access to a capable and skilled workforce and have put the country’s future at serious risk.
Expressing deep concern about the current situation, she urged governments to take strong and decisive action to hold the Taliban accountable and to support Afghan women.
While educational and employment restrictions on women remain firmly in place, Human Rights Watch has warned that the continuation of such policies will lead Afghanistan further into stagnation and darkness, obstructing the path to development and stability.
Reacting to the announcement of the Kankor exam dates — with no mention of female participation — Barr stated: *“Afghan women have waited far too long. The international community must act more boldly and take decisive steps to stop the harm the Taliban are causing to women and to the entire country.”*
Most recently, the Taliban announced that the Kankor exam will be held in five phases, yet failed to clarify whether girls will be allowed to participate.
Afghan women and girls continue to be banned from attending schools and universities, taking professional exams such as those for the Medical Council, or enrolling in medical institutes.
Many women say these restrictions have led their lives into a complete deadlock.
Nasrin, a Kabul resident, said: *“The situation we are facing in Afghanistan is because of our gender. We’re truly exhausted. It’s been four years of unemployment and no education. We’ve lost hope in the future.”*
Shabnam, from Badghis province, said: *“We are not allowed to work or study. These problems affect only women. The lack of opportunities for women has also severely damaged the economy.”*
At a time when Afghanistan faces a critical shortage of female doctors, nurses, and midwives, these bans not only hinder growth and prosperity but also pose a serious threat to public health and the country’s development.
