The Taliban have launched a sweeping censorship drive in Afghanistan, banning books authored by women from all university curricula and academic programs.
Officials have flagged 140 women’s books among nearly 700 recently prohibited titles, and 18 university courses—including subjects like human rights and women’s studies—have also been removed for allegedly violating “Sharia and Taliban policies.” Critics warn this will create a dangerous void in Afghan higher education and further silence women’s knowledge and perspectives.
Former officials and affected authors say the move is consistent with four years of increasing restrictions against women. Women are already barred from studying beyond sixth grade, and now their academic voices and writings are being erased from universities. Observers say the policy deepens Afghanistan’s isolation, threatening to erase hard-won progress in education, law, and civil society made by women over decades.
