Taliban's Approval Holds Afghan Women's University Return

Afghanistan's universities are prepared to readmit female students, but the final decision lies with the Taliban's leader, Hibatullah Akhundzada. The Taliban had banned women from campuses in December 2022, and girls had been prohibited from school beyond sixth grade since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021. The Higher Education Ministry's adviser, Molvi Abdul Jabbar, stated that universities are ready to reopen for women once Akhundzada lifts the ban, but it remains uncertain when or if that will happen. The ban was initially implemented to prevent gender mixing and due to concerns about certain subjects conflicting with Islamic principles.