Afghan universities were declared off limits to women because female students were not following Islamic instructions, the Taliban’s Minister for Higher Education, Neda Mohammad Nadeem, said on 22 December.

“Unfortunately after the passing of 14 months, the instructions of the Ministry of Higher Education of the Islamic Emirate regarding the education of women were not implemented,” the Minister said in an interview with Afghan television.

He added that women students have ignored Islamic instructions including what to wear or being accompanied by a male relative when travelling.

“They were dressing like they were going to a wedding. Those girls who were coming to universities from home were also not following instructions on hijab,” Nadeem said.

“Girls were studying agriculture and engineering, but this didn’t match Afghan culture. Girls should learn, but not in areas that go against Islam and Afghan honour,” he further said.

The authorities had also decided to shut those madrassas that were teaching only women students but were housed inside mosques, the Minister added.

Earlier, on 20 December, the Education Ministry banned female students from attending universities.

The ban announced earlier this week is the latest restriction on women’s rights in Afghanistan ordered by the Taliban since their return to power in August last year.

(With inputs from AFP)