Girls’ Education Under Threat in Afghanistan

For many Afghan girls, the classroom door that once swung open with possibility has again slammed shut. After two decades of gradual progress, recent political changes have brought renewed restrictions, leaving thousands of young women uncertain about their educational future.

In several provinces, secondary schools for girls remain closed or operate only sporadically. Families that once proudly sent daughters to class now face unclear or shifting regulations. Even when schools are technically open, the fear of sudden closures discourages regular attendance. Parents worry about safety during commutes and about harassment from those who disapprove of female education.

The economic strain is another heavy weight. Conflict and instability have pushed many households deeper into poverty. When resources are scarce, buying uniforms or books can feel impossible. Some families, desperate to survive, marry off daughters early, believing this offers protection and stability, but it effectively ends any hope of continuing education. Teachers—many of them women—are also affected. Salaries often arrive late or not at all, and working conditions are uncertain. Without sufficient female teachers, cultural norms that require girls to be taught by women become another barrier to learning.

Yet resistance quietly persists. In homes and community spaces, informal classes continue. Volunteer educators, some risking arrest, gather small groups of girls to teach reading, mathematics, and science. International organizations provide materials, remote learning opportunities, and advocacy, keeping alive the hope that every Afghan girl deserves a future shaped by her own choices. A lasting solution depends on policy change and sustained global engagement. Education must be recognized as a fundamental right, not a privilege to be granted or withdrawn. Until girls can freely and safely attend school, Afghanistan will struggle to realize its full potential, as half of its brightest minds remain confined to the shadows.