The Taliban-ruled government of Afghanistan has banned Afghani women from taking an exam necessary to practice medicine, according to a U.N. report. Since May 2023, officials have only permitted male medical students to take the Exit Supplementary Exam—some women had been blocked from taking the exam earlier in the year as well. State-wide policies have increasingly built barriers to prevent Afghani females’ access to higher-level education, job opportunities, and travel. Citing women’s non-compliance with the dress code and requirements that they be accompanied by a male relative, the Taliban government has banned girls from attending university, working in many NGos, and more.

Haibatullah Akhunzada, the leader of the Taliban, alleges that their policies are put in place to protect women and are backed by religious decree—but many Afghani women disagree. Rahela, a twenty-two year old woman from Ghor says, “It’s heartbreaking to see boys going to the university while we have to stay at home. This is gender discrimination against [us] because Islam allows us to pursue higher education—nobody should stop us from learning.” Many universities had already incorporated gender segregated classrooms, which allow female students to continue their schooling fulfilling even strict interpretations of Islamic law. However, the Taliban continues to obstruct women’s education.

Education is one of the rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, one of the most prominent international human rights documents. The right to education is an indispensable means to realizing other individual rights, empowering marginalized communities, and improving all aspects of society. Barring approximately half of a nation’s population from pursuing education will ultimately place the country at a developmental disadvantage. Research has shown that the education of a mother is hugely influential in human capital.

The situation in Afghanistan is reflective of the current international world order and how it came to be. Many aspects of the Taliban’s rise to power and other Afghani conflicts have been shaped by the actions of historical global powers, such as the U.S. and Soviet Union. A comprehensive dive into the history of the region reveals how foreign meddling has destabilized the region and set the Taliban up for success in their extreme religious fundamentalism and human rights abuses. Yet, the major powers refuse to acknowledge their part in perpetuating the oppression of the Afghani people. Instead, they release statements with no backing that condemn the abuse that they brought about.

Performative acts are not enough for the women of Afghanistan, the same way that they are not enough for the people of Syria, the Uighurs of China, and occupied Palestine. Global leaders have created the framework for and continue to perpetuate systems and leaders that oppress vulnerable populations. The world’s most powerful nations must be held accountable for the support that they had given, and continue to give, to abusers of human rights around the world.