10-08-2025
'Underground' university in Afghanistan thriving
In Afghanistan, an underground university for girls and women is thriving, despite the Taliban regime banning females from higher education. The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, and since then authorities have cracked down on many civil liberties, including a ban on girls studying at schools after primary school. Earlier this year, UNESCO described the situation with girls' education as 'alarming' adding that almost 1.5 million girls have been deliberately denied access to secondary education since 2021.
Zuhal, not her real name, lives in Afghanistan and, after researching the role of women in public life in the country, launched online courses for women. Despite the risk of identification and arrest for defying authorities, her courses have grown into an underground university of more than 5000 girls, with 250 staff, all working voluntarily.
They have faculties in midwifery, nursing, computer science, economics and psychology. Zuhal spoke to Susie about how it came about and what they have to do to avoid being caught.
Photo:
Supplied
