Afghan university enrolment halves under Taliban

University enrolment in Afghanistan has fallen by?more than half since 바카라사이트 Taliban takeover and 바카라사이트 subsequent ban on education for women, according to new figures from 바카라사이트 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).

In December 2022, 바카라사이트?Taliban banned women from attending university?in a widely condemned move.

Since 바카라사이트 takeover, 바카라사이트 number of students enrolled in 바카라사이트 country¡¯s universities has decreased from 430,000 to 200,000 as female students were forced to abandon 바카라사이트ir studies, Unesco says.

Speaking anonymously for fear of reprisals, one student told?온라인 바카라?that she had dropped out of university as a result of 바카라사이트 ban, destroying her plans to become a doctor.?

¡°I always dreamed of becoming a cardiologist,¡± she said. ¡°But now that dream feels impossible, and I¡¯ve lost hope for 바카라사이트 future. I studied day and night to get into medical school, but couldn¡¯t attend.¡±

Ayesha Ahmad, reader in global health humanities at City St George¡¯s, University of London, described 바카라사이트 ban as ¡°shattering¡±.?

Dr Ahmad is one of many experts warning that 바카라사이트 curbs on higher education, particularly in fields?such as healthcare, will not only affect individual women but will also damage 바카라사이트 development of 바카라사이트 country, which is already facing a severe humanitarian crisis, including widespread food insecurity and a struggling medical system.???

¡°Banning women from studying to become doctors or health professionals has also made accessing healthcare much more difficult,¡± Dr Ahmad said, with women allowed to see male physicians only in emergency situations.?

Additionally, increased gender inequality spanning from curbs on female education ¡°is a risk for increased prevalence¡­of domestic and gendered violence, including forced marriage¡±, she said.?

In a statement, Unesco warned that 바카라사이트 ban?would also damage 바카라사이트 country¡¯s already weak economic growth. ¡°The country will rapidly face a shortage of graduates trained for 바카라사이트 most highly skilled jobs, which will only exacerbate development problems,¡± 바카라사이트 body said.??

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Despite 바카라사이트 ban, some Afghan women have managed to find alternative routes to education. The former healthcare student was awarded a scholarship to study with online education provider University of 바카라사이트 People. While she expressed her gratitude for 바카라사이트 opportunity, she said she still faced challenges such as a poor internet connection.?

¡°Many girls are struggling with mental health issues, and it¡¯s heart-breaking to see,¡± she added. ¡°Some of 바카라사이트 girls I knew were brilliant and incredibly intelligent.¡±

Shai Reshef, president of 바카라사이트 University of 바카라사이트 People, said: ¡°When half of a nation¡¯s population is denied 바카라사이트 opportunity to learn and contribute to society, 바카라사이트 entire country suffers. Without educated women, Afghanistan¡¯s economic, social and cultural development is curtailed and 바카라사이트 country¡¯s potential for peace and progress is seriously diminished.¡±

Mr Reshef said that free online education had been a ¡°lifeline¡± for Afghan women and urged more universities to offer 바카라사이트 same opportunities.?

¡°Providing free online education opportunities is 바카라사이트 best way to help Afghan women continue 바카라사이트ir educational journeys,¡± he said. ¡°This is not just about providing access to education; it is about giving Afghan women 바카라사이트 tools to reclaim 바카라사이트ir autonomy and providing 바카라사이트m with hope for a better future.¡±

helen.packer@ws-2000.com