Taliban's Systematic Action to Eliminate Female Professors from Universities in Badakhshan and Nangarhar

Photo: Wakil Kohsar, AFP

Local sources in the provinces of Badakhshan and Nangarhar report that the Taliban, in a systematic action, have reduced and eliminated university and administrative positions, particularly those held by women, in the universities of these provinces.

According to the sources, at Badakhshan University, the Taliban have terminated the positions of 36 university professors, most of whom are women. A female professor at the university, who is also among those dismissed, told the media that this action by the Taliban is systematic and deliberately targeted against women.

She added, "My only source of income was my monthly salary of five thousand Afghanis from this job, but now it has been cut off by the Taliban."

The professor also pointed out that the list of those dismissed includes the names of some male professors who left the university three years ago.

Meanwhile, sources at Nangarhar University say that nine academic and administrative positions have been eliminated from the Faculty of Education alone. According to the sources, among these positions, six teaching posts, including two female professors, have been removed from the new structure. Additionally, three other administrative positions were cut, and one position was renamed.

The source also stated that the Geography Department has been removed from Nangarhar University, and the Taliban are working to eliminate other faculties and departments as well.

It is worth mentioning that the Taliban had previously, in a similar move, terminated around 60 to 70 female professors with master's and doctoral degrees at Kabul University.