The Taliban’s ban on women’s university education in Afghanistan last year prompted businessman Habtoor from the United Arab Emirates to offer scholarships to Afghan women seeking education abroad. However, the efforts have been thwarted by the Taliban’s refusal to allow women to leave the country for studies. About 60 Afghan girls who received scholarships were prevented from boarding flights.
Natkai, a pseudonymous 20-year-old Afghan student, expressed her aspiration to secure a scholarship to study abroad after the Taliban barred women from higher education. Despite the challenging circumstances, she continued her studies, and her determination paid off when she received a scholarship from Habtoor to attend the University of Dubai.
The scholarship initiative was introduced by Habtoor in response to the Taliban’s decree against women’s university education. Approximately 100 Afghan women were awarded the scholarship, with some students already living abroad having successfully arrived in Dubai.
However, Natkai’s hopeful journey was abruptly halted when she, along with at least 60 other girls, was denied departure at the airport by Taliban officials. Despite possessing plane tickets and student visas, they were informed that women were not permitted to leave Afghanistan on student visas.
The incident has been confirmed by both Dubai University and Habtoor. Habtoor shared an audio-visual message condemning the Taliban’s actions and reiterating the equality of men and women under Islam.
Taliban authorities have not provided an official statement or explanation regarding the incident. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Prosperity and Punishment spokesperson, Muhajah, informed the BBC that they were unaware of the situation. The incident highlights the challenges Afghan women continue to face in pursuing education amid changing political dynamics.
