The Collapse of Women Education in Afghanistan: Post-Taliban Policies, 2021-2025

This research critically examines the women’s education crisis in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime from 2021 to 2025. Following the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Afghan girls were systematically banned from secondary and higher education, reversing two decades of educational progress. Using feminist theory particularly radical and intersectional feminism the study analyzes how these restrictions reflect institutionalized patriarchy and ideological control. The research draws on qualitative data, official decrees, testimonies, and reports from international organizations to evaluate the extent and impact of the bans. Findings reveal severe violations of girls' educational rights, leading to psychological trauma, increased child marriage, economic regression, and long-term societal instability. The study also assesses international responses and proposes evidence-based recommendations, including conditional aid policies, support for community-based education, and global advocacy for Afghan women’s rights. Ultimately, the thesis underscores that restoring access to education for Afghan girls is not only a human rights obligation but essential for the nation’s future development and stability.