In late August 2025, the Taliban government in Afghanistan banned about 680 university books, including around 140 titles authored by women.
The Ministry of Higher Education labelled the works “anti-Sharia (referring to not guiding religious and social conduct) and Taliban policies.” Universities must stop using them immediately.
This order forms part of a broader crackdown on academic freedom in Afghan higher education.
SUBJECTS REMOVED FROM CURRICULA
Additionally, the Taliban prohibited 18 academic subjects, including human rights, sexual harassment, and gender sociology.
Works on “The Role of Women in Communication” and “Gender and Development” were also banned.
The directive affects law, sociology, and political science departments. Afghan academics warn that these bans severely restrict both teaching quality and scholarly exchange.
This action by the Taliban, banning books authored by women, undermines Afghanistan’s intellectual development.
OFFICIAL JUSTIFICATIONS PROVIDED
The order was signed by Ziaur Rahman Aryubi, Deputy Academic Director of the Ministry of Higher Education.
A Taliban review panel of clerics and scholars classified the targeted books and subjects as un-Islamic.
Officials insisted the bans safeguard Islamic Sharia and Taliban policies. The Taliban bans women’s books, claiming compliance with religious law.
However, educators fear that the decisions will create a void in Afghanistan’s already weakened education system.
GLOBAL AND LOCAL REACTIONS
International human rights organisations condemned the Taliban’s decision.
Afghan professors and authors, including Zakia Adeli, criticised the move as deliberate silencing of women.
Rights groups argue that the Taliban bans women’s books in Afghan universities, suppresses women’s voices, and erases gender studies.
Experts say Afghan students now lack exposure to global academic debates. Meanwhile, universities are left struggling to replace essential texts with Taliban-approved alternatives.
