Afghanistan faces education crisis amid gender bans and infrastructure shortages

Afghanistan faces a severe education crisis characterized by systemic barriers to literacy and a lack of physical infrastructure. On International Literacy Day, reports highlight that millions of women and girls remain deprived of educational opportunities. Since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, girls' education has been banned beyond the sixth grade, a policy that has excluded approximately 2.6 million girls from secondary schooling.

According to reports from UNESCO and UNICEF, the female literacy rate in Afghanistan stands at approximately 27 percent. Many women are forced to seek learning opportunities through online platforms to overcome these restrictions.

In addition to gender-based barriers, physical infrastructure deficits are hindering education in provinces like Badakhshan. Approximately 285 schools in the region lack permanent buildings, forcing thousands of students to study in open spaces or temporary tents. Teachers report that extreme weather conditions, including intense summer heat and winter cold, significantly disrupt learning and student attendance.