The Taliban authorities in Afghanistan have banned books authored by women from university curricula and outlawed the teaching of several academic subjects, including human rights and sexual harassment, a move that has sparked fears of a deepening crisis in higher education.
A directive circulated in late August instructed universities to remove 680 titles described as “problematic,” with 140 of them written by women. The affected works include a wide range of academic material, from laboratory safety manuals to courses in sociology and gender studies. Officials justified the decision, saying the content “contradicted Sharia principles and the system’s policies.”
In total, 18 subjects have been prohibited, with six directly related to women’s issues. Among those removed are Gender and Development, The Role of Women in Communication, and Women’s Sociology. The ban is seen as part of a broader crackdown on women’s education and participation in public life.
This latest restriction follows other sweeping measures introduced since the Taliban regained control four years ago. Last year, midwifery programs were shut down, girls’ schooling beyond grade six was suspended, and, most recently, internet access via fibre-optic cables was blocked in at least ten provinces.
“All books authored by women are not allowed to be taught,” a member of the Taliban’s book review committee confirmed.
One of the affected authors, Zakia Adeli, a former deputy justice minister, said the move was expected. “Considering the Taliban’s deeply misogynistic approach, it is no surprise. When women are denied education, their thoughts, ideas, and writings naturally become targets too,” she said.
The directive also singled out Iranian publications. Of the 679 banned works, 310 were written or published in Iran. Taliban officials explained that the decision aimed to stop what they described as the “infiltration of Iranian content” into Afghan universities.
Academic experts warn that the removal of these materials will create a dangerous educational void. “Books by Iranian scholars and translators have been essential in connecting Afghanistan’s universities to the wider academic world. Their absence will leave a huge gap,” one professor noted.
Others expressed concern that rushed replacements will fall short of international standards. “We are being pushed to write our own textbook chapters,” a Kabul University lecturer said. “But whether these materials can match global quality is highly doubtful.”
The Taliban maintain that they respect women’s rights based on their interpretation of Islamic law. However, officials have declined to comment publicly on the matter.
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