Taliban Suspends Verification of Women’s Academic Documents

DID Press: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Taliban) halted the verification of educational certificates for women, a move that residents in Kabul say was directly communicated at the ministry’s entrance and effectively blocks women’s access to study and work opportunities abroad.

According to reports, applicants were informed that “verification of women’s documents is prohibited.” At the same time, similar restrictions have reportedly been extended within higher education institutions, with the certification process for foreign universities and organizations suspended for both men and women.

Sources also indicate that universities have been verbally instructed not to respond to international requests regarding academic records, diplomas, and student enrollment status—effectively cutting formal communication with foreign educational institutions. These measures are reportedly required to be implemented “confidentially.”

Students have condemned the decision as discriminatory, warning that it severely limits access to international education and employment opportunities. Earlier restrictions by the Taliban already barred girls from education beyond grade six and significantly limited women’s participation in public and international sectors.

Despite repeated international calls for reversal, no change in policy has been announced.