Afghanistan’s Education Ban Has Excluded 2.4 Million Girls, UNESCO Says

The continuing restrictions are weakening educational quality, reducing the future workforce and creating a growing shortage of qualified female teachers.

Aug 31, 2026 - 07:30
Updated: Aug 31, 2026 - 09:22
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Afghanistan’s Education Ban Has Excluded 2.4 Million Girls, UNESCO Says
Afghan girls study in a classroom amid continuing restrictions on secondary and higher education. Reuters photograph.

About 2.4 million Afghan girls have been barred from secondary and higher education since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, UNESCO says.

Afghanistan remains the only country with a formal nationwide ban of this kind. Beyond the immediate loss of opportunity, UNESCO warns that the restrictions will reduce the supply of qualified female teachers and weaken education quality for future generations.

The economic consequences will also deepen over time as fewer women can enter skilled professions. Restoring access is therefore central not only to rights and equality, but to the country’s health, workforce and long-term development.

Reporting basis: NewsRena Editorial Desk review of reporting by Reuters, reporting UNESCO estimates.

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