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Visual Project

Gender Apartheid in Education

A chronological visual record of systemic segregation in education, tracing restrictions against girls and women across Afghanistan from 2021 to 2025.

Gender Apartheid in Education
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Gender Apartheid in Education

A Chronological Record of Systemic Segregation (2021–2025)

2021

September 12

Ref:DEC1-09122021

Gender segregation decisions in universities, preventing coeducation of male and female students.

September 17

Ref: DEC1-09172021

Opening schools exclusively for boys without mention of girls' schools.

September 19

Ref: DEC5-09192021

Verbal directive enforcing hijab for girls in middle school and rejecting the prior educational system.

2022

February 1st

Ref: DEC1-02012022

Orders to resume university classes for boys in cold regions without female students.

April 10

Ref: DEC5-04102022

Directive mandating hijab for female students and teachers, and banning neckties for male students and staff in Kabul schools.

May 10

Ref: DEC1-05102022

Banning women from choosing majors like agriculture, civil engineering, journalism, veterinary sciences, and geology in university entrance exams.

June 5

Ref: DEC1-06052022

Taliban's directive to reopen schools for girls from grades one to twelve, with restrictions imposed on girls dress for grades above six.

August 23

Ref: DEC1-08232022

Official decree mandates complete gender segregation in all educational institutions.

October 30

Ref: DEC1-10302022

Lashing and Beating of Female Students at Badakhshan University for Not Wearing Hijab.

December 20

Ref: DEC1-12202022

Prohibition of girls from continuing their education in public and private universities.

December 22

Ref: DEC1-12222022-A & DEC1-12222022-C
  • Ban on girls above grade six from attending school.
  • Ban universities from issuing graduation documents to female students.
2023

January 3

Ref: DEC1-01032023

Closure of educational centers for blind girls and women in Balkh, Nangarhar, and Kunar provinces.

January 21

Ref: DEC1-01212023

Prohibition of girls from participating in university entrance exams.

February 22

Ref: DEC1-02222023 & DEC4-02222023
  • Taliban sealed several educational centers in Bamyan for teaching girls.
  • Deprivation of female graduates from medical institutes in Kandahar from exit exam.

December 22

Ref: DEC1-12222023

Taliban cabinet formalize nationwide ban on all female higher education, public and private.

2024

June 03

Ref: DEC5-06032024

Taliban Education Directorate distributes burqas and uniforms to elementary school girls in Badakhshan.

September 01

Ref: DEC1-09012024

Restrictions imposed on media in Khost to broadcast educational programs for girls above grade 6.

December 04

Ref: DEC1-12042024

Ban on the education of women in medical institutions.

December 24

Ref: DEC1-12242024

Ban on female education beyond sixth grade in all institutions of Herat province (public and private schools and education centres).

2025

January 14

Ref: DEC1-01142025

The Taliban closed English language learning centers and kindergartens for girls affiliated with the Aga Khan Office in Badakhshan province.

January 15

Ref: DEC1-01152025

Taliban closed 16 educational centers in Paktia province, including community-based education.

March 22

Ref: DEC1-03222025

UNICEF declares 400,000 more girls deprived of education at start of academic year.

May 17

Ref: DEC1-05172025-B

Taliban closed around 200 UNICEF-supported community education centers in Panjshir, affecting approximately 5,000 students and more than 200 teachers.

August 26

Ref: DEC1-08262025-A

Taliban spokesperson describes girls’ education as ‘a minor matter' when discussing the Taliban's 5 year national strategy.

October 05

Ref: DEC1-10052025-A

The Taliban have eliminated two literacy schools for women in Bamiyan.

November 12

Ref: DEC1-11122025

Taliban shuts five literacy centers for women in Panjshir and dismisses teachers.

Source note: This visual should be read alongside decree records and supporting materials available through the Afghanistan Justice Archive.