Taliban Bans Books by Women from Afghan University Curricula

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has banned books authored by women from university curricula as part of new restrictions on teaching topics related to human rights and sexual harassment.

Authorities have labeled 679 books as “objectionable” for being contrary to Sharia law and government policy. Among these, 140 were written by women, and 310 were authored or published in Iran. A 50-page list of the banned books has been distributed to universities across the country.

Afghan universities have also been instructed to stop teaching 18 specific subjects. According to a Taliban official, these topics are considered incompatible with Islamic Sharia principles and the government’s policies.

Since returning to power four years ago, the Taliban have steadily introduced a range of new restrictions. This week, under the orders of the movement’s supreme leader, fiber-optic internet was cut in at least 10 provinces, citing a need to prevent “immoral activities.”

Critics say these measures are affecting daily life in Afghanistan, particularly for adolescent girls and women. Education beyond sixth grade has been restricted, and midwifery courses were discontinued at the end of 2024.

Of the 18 prohibited subjects at the university level, six relate specifically to women’s studies, including courses such as Gender and Development, The Role of Women in Communication, and Women’s Sociology.

The Taliban maintain that their policies respect Afghan culture and Islamic law while protecting women’s rights. However, members of Afghanistan’s book review committee have clarified to the BBC that all books by women authors are now banned from the curriculum.

The list of prohibited works also includes books by former Afghan deputy minister of justice Zakia Adili. Adili remarked, “I am not surprised by these changes over four years. Women cannot pursue education, and their right to express opinions or write is being suppressed—it is expected under Taliban rule.”

The decree banning the books was signed in late August by Ziaur Rahman Aryubi, deputy director of the Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education. A committee of scholars and experts made the decision.

In addition to female authors, the list also contains works by Iranian writers and publishers. A committee member explained that the ban aims to prevent Iranian content from entering Afghan university programs.