A video purportedly showing female students weeping bitterly in a classroom in Afghanistan has gone viral on social media.
This comes two days after the higher education ministry of the Taliban government banned female students from schools and universities.
The video was shared by Shabnam Nasimi, a former policy special advisor to Minister for Afghan resettlement and refugees alongside a caption:
“Girls crying in agony as they’re told that they will have to leave the university & go home as the Taliban have BANNED female university education in Afghanistan.
“Painful to hear. How can we sit idly by as millions of girls are denied their human rights.”
On Tuesday, the Taliban announced the decision to ban female education in a letter sent by the higher education ministry to the universities, which was widely condemned by the United Nations and foreign governments.
According to the reports, armed forces were deployed in huge numbers outside the educational institutes across the nation and the girl students were asked to leave.
Meanwhile, a small group of women in Afghanistan staged a protest against the ban imposed by the Taliban on female education in Kabul, said an activist, adding that few women were arrested.
“They expelled women from universities. Oh, the respected people, support, support. Rights for everyone or no one!” the protesters chanted as they protested in Kabul.
In the rally, a protester said that few girls were arrested, however, two were released and few remain in custody.
Almost two dozen women veiled in hijabs were seen raising hands and shouting slogans as they protested through the streets.
People were in disbelief after the ban was announced as it came less than three months after many female students were permitted to appear for university entrance exams.
Reacting to the development, a tweep, @TSAReilly said the Talibans are just evil: “I cannot believe there is any religious, moral or political justification that would prevent girls and women completing their education and achieving their full potential. The #Taliban are just evil.”
Another tweep, @WeRThe48percent said: “Would it be possible to set up a sponsorship scheme to allow a limited number of Afghan women to study in Europe? – or would they be prevented from leaving the country?”
@althani_nba tweeted: “OMG you made me cry 😭 and my heart was broken💔did you forget what you have done in this country?? 🤷🏻♂️ Did you forget your financial blockade??🤷🏻♂️do not act as Angel and you know in your deep heart this is all from your country and others🙋🏻♂️ ask yourself from wher can they get 💵”
“The fight for gender equality never ends until ALL women and girls are allowed to be themselves as they find opportunities to unleash their full potential and capabilities without harm, restriction, or threat from others, especially men,” @maloueudela wrote.
