Afghan women lose their 'last hope' as Taliban shuts down internetFahima Noori had big dreams when she graduated from university in AfghanistanShe had studied law, graduated from a midwifery programme and even worked in a mental health clinic.But all that was taken away when the Taliban swept into power in 2021. They banned girls over the age of 12 from getting an education, severely restricted job options for women and recently removed books written by women from universities."I recently enrolled in an online university [and] I had hoped to finish my studies and find an online job," she said.On Tuesday, that lifeline was cut off when the Taliban imposed a nationwide internet shutdown that is set to last indefinitely."Our last hope was online learning. Now [even] that dream has been destroyed," said Fahima.'We all sit at home doing nothing'Since seizing power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed numerous restrictions in accordance with their interpretation of Islamic Sharia law.Earlier this month they removed books written by women from the country's university teaching system as part of a new ban which has also outlawed the teaching of human rights and sexual harassment.Around 140 books by women - including titles like "Safety in the Chemical Laboratory" - were found to be of "concern" due to "anti-Sharia and Taliban policies", said the Taliban.Zabi says he had previously worked as a journalist in Pakistan, but found no opportunities in the field when he returned to Afghanistan. He decided to open an English teaching centre - but was forced to take this online when authorities imposed restrictions on educational institutes, he says."I had men and women in my classes - up to 70 or 80 students at a time. My students were happy and our lessons went smoothly," he said. "They were all preparing for the IELTS [a standardised English test] and all their learning depended on the internet. The research, the practice tests, the official exams, everything."
>>517673482no girls allowed
