By John Q. Hosedrinker 
In a new development, the Taliban government has instructed Afghan universities to remove books written by women from the curriculum and has also prohibited the teaching of 18 subjects deemed in conflict with Sharia law. This move is part of a broader crackdown on women’s rights, coinciding with the ban on female education beyond the sixth grade. The directive includes a list of nearly 700 books, with 140 written by women. The ban, motivated by the desire to prevent the infiltration of Iranian content into the Afghan curriculum, has raised concerns among educators regarding the void it creates in higher education and its impact on academic standards.
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Taliban ban books written by women from Afghan universities, a move that, frankly, just adds another layer of frustration to an already dire situation. It’s almost as though they are in a competition to see how much they can restrict and control women’s lives, each new decree upping the ante. We’re talking about a blatant disregard for education and the power of knowledge, a power that, of course, they fear. It’s a “purity spiral” as someone put it; a race to the bottom of the barrel of outdated and frankly, nonsensical ideologies.
Speaking of the absurdity, the irony of all this is staggering. It’s difficult not to wonder if they even believe the rules they’re enforcing, if this is just a power play. The idea that a group of men, claiming to represent a religion, can dictate what women can and cannot learn is simply unacceptable. This certainly feels like a form of dehumanization, a blatant attempt to erase women from society. They’ve already restricted women from participating in sports. What’s next? It’s difficult to imagine what further restrictions they could implement. Maybe they should take notes from the American leadership.
One can’t help but think about how deeply ingrained this misogyny is, almost to the point of biological determinism. They seem obsessed with control, manipulation, and, frankly, cruelty. It is not about religion. It is not about spirituality. This is a simple, sad, and disgusting show of power. These men are just trying to make sure girls and women are denied basic rights. It’s a blatant violation of human dignity. It is hard to shake off the feeling that they are just trying to outdo each other in their outdated ideas.
The fact that this is not an isolated incident is also alarming. Similar trends are visible across the world, with men in leadership positions clinging to outdated beliefs. It’s not about religion or politics; it’s about a power dynamic. It’s the same thing they do to animals and the earth, as someone here pointed out. It’s a culture of fear, where men are afraid to challenge their own kind. It’s women, and a few enlightened men, who will have to break this cycle.
Consider the potential consequences. This ban on books written by women will hinder the education of an entire generation. They are trying to prevent women from sharing their knowledge. This is, undeniably, an assault on intellectual freedom. This will further isolate Afghanistan from the rest of the world and stifle any hope for progress. It just makes you wonder how these men can possibly reconcile this stance with their own existence, given the role of women in birth.
Many men simply follow these leaders. They do not protect women, because it is not in their “masculinity” to respect or humanize women. It is almost as if they are scared little boys on the inside who just look out for themselves. They are often extremely vulnerable to propaganda and group-think. It’s mainly us women (and a few of the enlightened men) who will have to eradicate these dinosaur mentalities from our world. This just shows how deep-rooted the problem is.
The absence of widespread condemnation, or any real action from the international community, is also worth noting. This is a sign of how much misogyny is back in fashion in the West. Some are even saying that Trump and his followers are taking notes. It begs the question of what has changed. This is a worrying trend for the future.
Let’s face it, this is culture, not religion. The Quran itself was transcribed by companions of the Prophet Muhammad, and this group included women. The Taliban’s actions are completely inconsistent with the spirit of any religion that they claim to uphold. They are taking the liberty to deny women’s role in society. They do not want women to learn. They expect women only to cook and breed.
It’s also important to remember the diverse nature of Afghanistan itself. Literacy is low, and tribal law often takes precedence over the official laws. In more remote villages, many of the inhabitants are unaware of the world beyond their village, and their concerns are more practical. This isn’t a monolithic society.
Finally, it’s important to acknowledge the underlying motivations of those who participate in the Taliban. For many, joining the organization is about survival and security. They have no choice but to do what they are told. It’s this reality that makes it even more essential for the rest of the world to speak out against such acts of oppression. This is a fight that women must win.