Taliban bans books written women in Afghan universities | World News

The ban also affects books Iranian authors or publishers, with one review panel member saying it aims to “prevent the infiltration of Iranian content” into Afghan universities. (AP Photo/ Representational)

The Taliban government has removed books authored women from Afghanan’s university curriculum, in a move that also bans the teaching of human rights and sexual harassment, BBC reported. Around 140 books women were among 680 flagged as “of concern” for being “anti-Sharia and Taliban policies.”

Universities have also been told to stop teaching 18 subjects, six of which focus specifically on women, including Gender and Development, The Role of Women in Communication, and Women’s Sociology. 
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Ziaur Rahman Aryubi, deputy academic director of the Taliban’s Minry of Higher Education, said the decisions were made a panel of “religious scholars and experts,” reported BBC.

‘Misogynic mindset’

A member of the committee reviewing the books confirmed to BBC Afghan that “all books authored women are not allowed to be taught.” 

Former deputy justice miner Zakia Adeli, whose works are among the banned titles, said the move was predictable given the Taliban’s “misogynic mindset and policies,” as per BBC. She added, “When women themselves are not allowed to study, their views, ideas and writings are also suppressed.”

The ban also affects books Iranian authors or publishers, with one review panel member saying it aims to “prevent the infiltration of Iranian content” into Afghan universities. 

Lecturers have warned that removing these texts risks creating “a substantial void in higher education,” as Iranian works are a key link to global academic knowledge. Professors at Kabul University said they are now forced to prepare textbook chapters themselves.

(With inputs from BBC)