Taliban Minister calls for reopening of schools for Afghan Girls, signaling Possible Policy Shift

A senior Taliban official, Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanekzai, has publicly urged the group's leadership to lift the ban on girls' education in Afghanistan. The Taliban's acting deputy foreign minister made an impassioned appeal at a recent gathering of scholars and officials, arguing that denying girls access to education contradicts Islamic Sharia law and is fundamentally unjust.

Stanekzai’s remarks have been viewed as one of the strongest internal criticisms of the Taliban’s hardline stance on female education, which has faced mounting condemnation from the international community since the group seized power in 2021. His comments are raising hopes that the Taliban may reconsider their policies amid increasing domestic and global pressure.

"We are hopeful that the Taliban leadership will reconsider their decision and allow girls to return to school," stated a spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Education, reflecting cautious optimism within the country.

The plea from within the Taliban ranks has been welcomed by human rights organizations and educators who have long been advocating for Afghan girls' right to education. A spokesperson for Human Rights Watch described Stanekzai's appeal as a "significant development" that could pave the way for a long-overdue policy change.

Since the Taliban's return to power, millions of Afghan girls have been denied the opportunity to pursue their education, resulting in a severe setback to the country's educational progress. The ban has further isolated Afghanistan on the global stage, with the United Nations and Western governments making the restoration of girls' education a key condition for diplomatic recognition and aid.

Observers believe that Stanekzai's comments could indicate internal divisions within the Taliban leadership regarding the education ban, as the economic and political costs of the policy continue to mount. Whether the group’s leadership will act on his recommendations remains to be seen.

According to a Hindustan Times report, as the situation unfolds, advocates for girls’ education remain hopeful that this rare dissent from a high-ranking official might be the catalyst needed to bring meaningful change for Afghan girls.