Inside Afghanistan’s Secret Schools for Girls
The Taliban's ban on education for women and girls in Afghanistan has led to the establishment of secret schools, providing an alternative educational setting for those barred from formal classrooms. These underground networks are crucial for students seeking education. International groups advocate for education rights, but the domestic environment remains restrictive. Save the Children reports increasing hardships for women and girls. A school for Afghan girls has now opened permanently in Rwanda.
What changed
A permanent school for Afghan girls has been opened in Rwanda by the School of Leadership of Afghanistan (SOLA), which fled Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
Live updates
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Afghanistan's Secret Schools for Girls Continue to Operate
The Taliban's ban on education for women and girls in Afghanistan has led to the establishment of secret schools, providing an alternative educational setting for those barred from formal classrooms. These underground networks are crucial for students seeking education. International groups advocate for education rights, but the domestic environment remains restrictive. Save the Children reports increasing hardships for women and girls. A school for Afghan girls has now opened permanently in Rwanda.
Why it matters
The Taliban's restrictions on women's education have been in place since their takeover of Afghanistan. This has resulted in significant challenges for women and girls seeking education. The secret schools and the new school in Rwanda are attempts to circumvent these restrictions. The situation remains critical as the international community pushes for change.
What is confirmed
- The School of Leadership of Afghanistan has opened a permanent school in Rwanda.
- The Taliban's ban on education for women and girls in Afghanistan has led to significant hardships.
- International groups, including Save the Children, continue to advocate for education rights in Afghanistan.
What to watch next
- Development of the secret schools in Afghanistan
- Reaction of the Taliban to the new school in Rwanda
- Progress on education rights advocacy
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (8)
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Lyse Doucet reports on clandestine girls schools in Afghanistan
Journalist Lyse Doucet has visited Afghanistan to report on secret schools for girls and conduct interviews with the Taliban. These underground networks serve as the primary educational alternative for students barred from formal classrooms. While international groups continue to advocate for education rights, the domestic environment remains restrictive, forcing women and girls to operate in hidden settings to avoid detection by authorities. Save the Children has previously noted that the ongoing ban on education is causing increasing hardships for women and girls across the country.
Why it matters
The Taliban banned girls from formal education following the US withdrawal from Afghanistan five years ago. Clandestine schools emerged as a survival mechanism to maintain literacy and learning. The persistence of these networks highlights the tension between Taliban restrictions and the local demand for education.
What is confirmed
- Women and girls in Afghanistan operate clandestine schools to bypass Taliban education restrictions.
- Save the Children reports that women and girls face increasing hardships due to the education ban.
- Lyse Doucet visited Afghanistan and spoke to the Taliban five years after the US pullout.
What to watch next
- Official Taliban responses to the existence of secret schools
- Reports on the scale of student enrollment in clandestine networks
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (7)
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Secret Schools Emerge as Afghan Girls Face Education Ban
Afghan girls and women are operating clandestine schools to bypass Taliban restrictions on education. These secret networks provide a primary alternative for students who have been barred from formal classrooms. Save the Children reports that women and girls in Afghanistan face increasing hardships as the ban persists. While some international communities hold events to support the right to education, the domestic situation remains restrictive, forcing students to seek learning opportunities in hidden settings to avoid detection by authorities.
Why it matters
The Taliban administration has implemented strict bans on female education beyond primary levels. This policy has led to a systemic collapse of formal schooling for girls across the country. Access to higher education is also being reshaped by these restrictive mandates.
Still unconfirmed
- Secret schools are operating within Afghanistan to provide education for girls.
- Save the Children states that Afghan women and girls face growing hardships.
What to watch next
- Official Taliban statements regarding the legality of home-based schooling.
- Reports on the scale and number of secret schools operating nationwide.
- International diplomatic efforts to restore formal education for girls.
confidence 60%Sources used for this update (8)
- The New York Times — Inside Afghanistan’s Secret Schools for Girls
- Eurasia Review — Afghanistan’s Appeal To The World – OpEd
- 8AM Media — Five Years Ago, I Was in Fifth Grade
- Inside Higher Ed — How the Taliban Is Reshaping Afghan Higher Ed (opinion)
- thekabultribune.com — Afghan Women and Girls Face Growing Hardships, Save the Children Says
- frequencynews.ca — Pickering Hosts Walk in Support of Afghan Girls’ Right to Education
- The News Pakistan — Uniting for justice
- 8AM Media — 1,825 Days Without School