Taliban school ban leads to Afghan teen's suicide

The Taliban’s policy of closing schools to Afghan girls beyond sixth grade has intensified the emotional and social strain on families. Sixteen‑year‑old Fariba, who continued to attend school despite the ban, died by suicide after months of distress, leaving a note that it was too hard to be a girl in Afghanistan.

The ban also halts medical courses for women, raising concerns about higher maternal mortality, increased child marriages and an estimated $500 million annual loss to the Afghan economy. Experts warn that the restrictions damage public health and the country’s future, while Afghanistan does not track suicide statistics. Fariba’s mother fears for her remaining daughters, underscoring the personal toll of the education ban on communities.