Afghan Women Launch Enterprises Amidst Taliban’s Education Ban

In the face of the Taliban-imposed ban on girls and women accessing education in Afghanistan, some courageous individuals have taken matters into their own hands by starting their own businesses to support their families economically, according to a report by TOLOnews.

Having been denied admission to schools, these resilient girls and women have established their own enterprises. One student from a law and political science faculty in Kabul shared with TOLOnews that she has opened a clothing and cosmetics shop. She emphasized the importance of education for securing a prosperous future, both for themselves and for the development of their nation.

Despite repeated pleas from Afghan girls for the Taliban to reopen schools and universities, there has been no progress in addressing the dire situation regarding females’ right to education in a country grappling with economic and humanitarian crises.

In a separate statement, a Kabul resident named Atefa expressed satisfaction with seeing her fellow sisters working under the rule of the Islamic Emirate. She commended their efforts and the ease of access to their products. Another resident, Madina, highlighted that with the closure of universities and schools for girls, they rely on these enterprising individuals for their essential needs.

The Taliban’s rollback of women and girls’ rights in Afghanistan has encompassed a wide range of human rights violations, including banning their attendance at high schools and universities, imposing restrictions on movement and employment, and prohibiting female nationals from working in most NGOs since December.

Amidst decades of conflict, Afghanistan is confronted with numerous challenges, including a food shortage exacerbated by reduced development funding and sanctions imposed by foreign governments due, in part, to the Taliban’s restrictions on women.

Despite widespread condemnation, there are still limitations on the number of women allowed to work for the UN, and girls’ education beyond the sixth grade remains banned, as reported by Khaama Press.

Since the Taliban’s resurgence following the US withdrawal in August 2021, women are prohibited from working in education-related fields with domestic and international organizations, as well as in gyms and public spaces.