I joined other Foreign Ministers to strongly condemn the Taliban’s new oppressive measures on university education for women & girls in #Afghanistan. #Malta stands with all Afghans in their quest to exercise their human rights & freedoms.

— Ian Borg (@MinisterIanBorg) December 29, 2022

Earlier this month, Afghanistan’s education ministry announced that it was suspending university attendance for girls until a “suitable environment” could be provided.

This follows the Taliban’s decision last March to ban girls from attending high school.

The move was denounced by the UN Security Council, which warned that it “represents an increasing erosion for the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms” in Afghanistan.

Separately, the Taliban recently ordered all local and foreign NGOs not to let female staff work until further notice on the grounds that some women hadn’t followed their strict Islamic dress codes.

Four NGOs – Save the Children, Norwegian Refugee Council, CARE International and the International Rescue Committee – announced they are suspending their programmes in Afghanistan following this announcement.

Women protested the new law outside the Kabul University in Afghanistan’s capital, shouting ”everyone or no one”.

According to clips obtained by the press, authorities forcefully beat and arrested some protestors.

It is estimated that 80% of suicide attempts in Afghanistan are made by women, which makes the country one of the few where rates are significantly higher amongst women.

This is accounted to domestic abuse, poverty, and violation of their rights.

What do you make of all this?