White House Press Deputy: Afghan Women Face Medieval Taliban Policies After U.S. Withdrawal

Anna Kelly, the White House Press Deputy, in an interview with The Washington Post, said, "The disastrous withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan during President Joe Biden's administration allowed the Taliban to take control of the country and impose strict Sharia laws on its citizens." She also discussed the impact of the halt in U.S. foreign aid on the education of Afghan women.

It is worth noting that Donald Trump, the former U.S. President, ordered the suspension of all U.S. foreign aid early in his presidency. This decision had widespread effects on humanitarian and educational programs worldwide, with Afghanistan being one of the most affected countries.

According to The Washington Post, many educational programs for Afghan women, including online courses and scholarships for studying abroad, have been halted following the suspension of U.S. foreign aid. These programs were often the last hope for thousands of Afghan women and girls who were barred from attending schools and universities after the Taliban's return to power.

Between 2005 and 2019, the U.S. invested approximately $167 million in the American University of Afghanistan. The university, which has now relocated to Doha, Qatar, was one of the largest providers of online education for Afghan women. However, the university recently announced the suspension of its Spring 2025 semester, a decision affecting around 700 students.

Additionally, the Asian University for Women in Bangladesh, which had become a lifeline for many Afghan women, has delayed the admission of 330 new students due to the suspension of U.S. foreign aid.

International organizations and human rights groups have expressed deep concern about the future of education for Afghan women. A UN official warned that the halt in U.S. foreign aid could worsen the situation for Afghan women and girls, completely cutting off their access to education.

The suspension of U.S. foreign aid has not only eliminated educational opportunities for Afghan women but will also exacerbated a broader economic crisis in the country. As the future of women's education in Afghanistan hangs in the balance, there are growing calls for international efforts to restore support and protect the rights of women and girls in the country.