Human Rights Defenders: Nationwide University Entrance Exam Without Girls is Systematic Discrimination and Cripples Afghanistan's Future

Shaharzad Akbar, the former head of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, responded to the Kankor exam results, without the presence of girls, on her X account on Monday (July 22). She wrote that the Taliban continue to exclude women from all areas of public life, including access to secondary, high school, and university education. She warned that the prohibition on girls' education would cripple the future of Afghan society.

Meanwhile, Afghan researcher Orzala Nemat also reacted to this issue on her X account, writing that the Kankor exam was held without the presence of girls for another year. She emphasized that this systemic discrimination is an example of "gender apartheid" and a long-term crime against the Afghan nation.

It is worth noting that the results of the 1403 Kankor exam were announced on Sunday (July 21) by the National Examination Authority under Taliban control. According to the results, Atal Khan Rahimzoy from Habibia High School scored 359.6 points and was named the top student in this year's Kankor exam.

For nearly three years, the Taliban have barred girls above the sixth grade from attending school in Afghanistan. The Taliban have also prevented women and girls from attending universities and educational institutions. This action has left millions of female students without education.