PRIO, December 2025
This new report of the Peace Research Institute Oslo, authored by old Afghan hands Arne Strand and Kristian Berg Harpviken together with (for good reasons) unnamed Afghan researchers, explores the challenges and opportunities for girls’ higher education caused by the Taleban administration’s restrictive policies and bans on secondary and university education for girls since 2021. It presents the history of religious and secular education in Afghanistan, highlighting the influence of armed conflicts, Islam and national identity on the education system. It then outlines the Taleban’s governance structures, notably the centralized power of Emir Haibatullah, the appointments to and responsibilities of the new Provincial Ulama Councils and District Ulama Councils in local governance, and their limited influence on national policy decisions.
The authors summarise: “The continued ban has left few options for advancing girls’ higher education except through homeschooling, digital learning, international scholarships and increased enrolment to religious schools.” And they discuss options for ensuring higher education for Afghan girls. In the debate about increased international pressure on the Taleban administration versus continued dialogue, they recommends engagement to lift the ban, combined with continued funding for alternative education initiatives to allow Afghan girls some education opportunities.
Revisions:
This article was last updated on 9 Jan 2026
