Taliban says 'Women's Rights Not Priority' on International Outrage over Education Ban

Speaking about the current ban on women in Afghanistan from attending universities and working in NGOs, the Taliban has responded by saying that revoking restrictions against women is not a priority for the group.

In a statement to ANI, Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid stated that the Taliban would not permit any actions that violate Islamic law. He also said that any concerns regarding restrictions on women’s rights will be dealt with according to the established rule in Afghanistan.

“The Islamic Emirate tries to regulate all matters in accordance with the Islamic Sharia, and the ruling government cannot allow act against the Sharia in the country," Zabiullah Mujahid said.

The Taliban led administration announced a complete ban on female aid workers on December 24. Further, last month the group imposed a ban on women attending universities. They had earlier stopped women from attending high school in March. Afghani women have been ordered to cover their bodies in public.

The US pressed the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution to direct Taliban-led authorities to revoke the ban on women working for aid groups or attending universities and high school. 11 Security Council members issued a joint statement urging the Taliban to remove all restrictions on women and girls in Afghanistan.

However, Zabiullah Mujahid urged Afghanistan’s partners and international aid organizations to respect the religious demands in the country. the group has so far showed no interest in relaxing the many restrictions put upon women’s employment, movement and education in the country.