As the Taliban enforces a ban on girls' education, young Afghan women, like Amina, are left feeling disillusioned. Many are turning to madrassas for education, offering a mix of Islamic teachings and some academic subjects, albeit raising concerns about the quality and scope of instruction.
Afghan Girls Find Hope in Madrassas Amid Education Ban
Afghan Girls Find Hope in Madrassas Amid Education Ban
With mainstream education inaccessible, Afghan girls turn to madrassas for a semblance of learning under Taliban rule, creating a complex landscape of opportunity and restriction.
With the new school year beginning quietly in Afghanistan, girls above the age of 12 face a stark reality: for the fourth year in a row, they are barred from attending school. One of these girls is Amina, who once dreamt of becoming a doctor but saw her aspirations shattered when the Taliban regained control of the country and imposed severe restrictions on female education.
“I wanted to get an education so that I could become a doctor,” laments Amina, now 15, recalling the day her life took a turn towards bleakness. The ban affects more than one million young women, according to UNICEF, creating a generation of girls deprived of academic opportunities.
For many, madrassas—religious schools catering to Islamic teachings—have become the last refuge for education. While these institutions are seen as an alternative, they are often criticized for not being a true replacement for traditional schooling and for potential indoctrination. "I still believe that one day the Taliban will allow schools and universities to reopen," Amina states, embodying the fragile hope many hold.
In Kabul, Amina studies at the Al-Hadith madrassa, a newly established private center where around 280 female students gather. Founded by her brother Hamid, the madrassa offers courses ranging from Quranic studies to midwifery, though recent restrictions have limited medical training for women. The poor conditions of the school, featuring cardboard walls and icy temperatures, testify to the challenges they all face.
Visiting another madrassa, the Shaikh Abdul Qadr Jilani, which services over 1,800 girls and women, one finds a blend of Quran classes and practical training like sewing. Despite the cold and cramped conditions, students like Hadiya and Safia express a commitment to their education. Hadiya speaks of her love for science, even as she teaches the Quran, and Safia emphasizes the importance of a solid understanding of Islamic law.
Yet, both agree that madrassas should not replace mainstream education. The Taliban's education restrictions have drawn international criticism, with calls for a renewed focus on women’s education at all levels. Richard Bennett, UN special rapporteur, warns that limiting educational opportunities alongside high unemployment could foster radical ideologies and pose threats to global stability.
While Amina, along with others, continues to fight for an education, the hope persists that one day they will reclaim their right to a full curriculum. "I want to realize my dream of becoming a heart surgeon," she says, a defiant vision held tightly amidst the adversity they endure.
