Any hopes that the Taliban in Afghanistan had softened in their hardline attitudes were quickly dispelled when, on 23 March, 2022, they announced that girls would not be permitted to attend school.
The sudden u-turn by the Islamist group was a devastating blow to the thousands of young girls who had hoped they would be given their fundamental right to attend school and secure a vital education.
Today, almost 80 percent of girls in Afghanistan are out of education.
Following the ban, the Taliban gave no real justification, only saying that the education of girls must be according to "Islamic principles".
On this week's episode of The New Arab Voice, we explore the Taliban's ban on educating girls.
Why did the Taliban make a sudden policy u-turn? How has the education ban affected young girls in Afghanistan? What can be done to get girls back in classroom? And how can the international community work with the Taliban, without giving the hardline group financial support?
Featuring interviews with Heather Barr (@heatherbarr1), associate director of the Women's Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, and Weeda Mehran (@WeedaMehran), Afghan lecturer at the University of Exeter with expertises in conflict prevention and peace in Afghanistan.
This podcast is written and produced by Rosie McCabe (@RosieMcCabe3). The executive producer is Hugo Goodridge (@hugogoodridge). Theme music by Omar al-Fil (@elepheel).
Other music by Blue Dot Sessions.
To get in touch with the producers, follow then tweet us at @TheNewArabVoice or email hugo.goodridge@alaraby.co.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The New Arab Weekly - May 30th, 2024
The New Arab Weekly - May 23rd, 2024
The New Arab Weekly - May 16th, 2024
Iran and Israel Step Out of the Shadow War: Rising tensions threaten to spark regional war
A Turkey of an Election for Erdogan: AKP losses, CHP wins, and İmamoğlu's rising star
A Problem with (the Palestinian) Authority: The PA and Mahmoud Abbas in the wake of Gaza
Poor Reviews for Theatrical Elections: Iran’s low turnout for elections and Khamenei’s successor
The New Arab Weekly - March 14th, 2024
Special Announcement
Making the Gaza Crisis Even Worse: The suspension of UNRWA funding and the humanitarian catastrophe
Provisionally Stopping Genocide: The ICJ measures for Gaza and the response by Israel and its allies
Protesting in a Time of War: Civil rights in Israel, the Supreme Court, and Netanyahu
Pirating for Palestine: Houthi attacks in the Red Sea and the US/UK response
Violence Spreading from Gaza and Hopes at The Hague: The risks of a regional war and genocide calls at the ICJ
2023 in Review Part 2: The good, the bad, and the horror of Gaza
2023 in Review Part 1: The good, the bad, and the horror of Gaza
Two Months Later : Israel's war in Gaza and Netanyahu's political prospects
Barely Catching Breath: Inside Gaza’s short pause and the deal for hostages
Trouble with the 51st State: US policy on Gaza and its relationship with Israel
Fear Spreads from Gaza to the West Bank: Israel expands its crackdown on Palestinians as settler attacks multiply
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free