The Taliban has announced new bans on female education in some parts of Afghanistan. In the eastern province of Ghazni, for example, it forbade girls over 10 from attending basic classes at primary schools. Officials from the Taliban-controlled Ministry of Education reportedly told school principals that any girl aged over 10 is not allowed to attend basic classes at primary schools. BBC Persian reports that any girl over the age of 10 is banned from studying in basic schools.

In some areas, the "Ministry for Preaching and Guidance" segregated girls into age groups. The Taliban told schools to send home female students above the third grade. Last year, when education was allowed up until the sixth grade for girls, this age has now been reduced to 10 years old.

The Taliban has progressively restricted women's and girls’ rights, including education and employment opportunities, ever since the US and NATO-led forces exited Afghanistan. The insurgents banned girls from secondary education as well as women's colleges and universities. They limited their access to public life and work.

The United Nations has taken to criticizing the Taliban's rising restrictions on women and girls of late, noting their detrimental impact on education and employment opportunities. The ban extends to female employees of local and non-governmental organizations, as well as those working for the United Nations.

This tightening of restrictions on education and employment further undermines gender equality and tarnishes the future prospects of women and girls in Afghanistan.