Human Rights Activists’ Union: The Taliban Have Committed “Cultural Genocide” by Banning Girls’ Education

Image: Reuters/BBC

Ahead of International Students’ Day on 17 November, the Human Rights Activists’ Union said in a statement that the Taliban, by depriving girls of education and closing university doors, have committed “cultural genocide” and “gender apartheid”.

The statement said the Taliban, by banning girls from schools and universities, eliminating scientific disciplines, dismissing lecturers and turning educational institutions into ideological structures, are seeking to “destroy the intellectual capacity and the future of an entire generation”.

The Union said these policies, based on international standards, amount to “cultural genocide” and “intellectual cleansing”; measures aimed at eliminating women’s awareness, identity and independence.

The organisation added that depriving women of education constitutes “gender apartheid” and a “crime against humanity” under global conventions, as the Taliban have systematically denied half of society the right to education and public participation solely because they are women.

The Human Rights Activists’ Union called on the international community, universities and human rights institutions to recognise the Taliban’s conduct as a “crime” and to take practical steps to hold the group’s leaders accountable.

Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have banned girls from attending schools above grade six and from entering universities, and have issued more than one hundred restrictive decrees against women. United Nations experts describe these policies as “gender apartheid” and a “systematic attack on women”.