It’s been 8 months since the Taliban re-captured control of Afghanistan, following the United States’ withdrawal from the country. Almost immediately, there were concerns over what this would mean for Afghanistan's women and girls. Since the Taliban regained power, there’s been a rollback of their rights, including banning them from government jobs and policing what they wear. 

Now education is under threat. Just last week, the Taliban announced that girls’ high schools will be closed indefinitely, meaning that female students above the sixth grade will not be able to attend school. 

This happened just a week after the education ministry announced that schools would open for all students. Schools will remain closed for girls until they can come up with a plan in accordance with Islamic law and Afghan culture. 

The Taliban’s decision has prompted outrage from the international community, as well as teenage girls in Afghanistan. They’re taken to the streets in protest in Kabul, demanding the right to education. 

For more on this, The Takeaway spoke with Shabana Basij-Rasikh, co-founder and president of the School of Leadership Afghanistan boarding school.