Silenced voices, enduring struggles

An Islamic feminist analysis of afghan female academics under Taliban rule

Bibliographic Data

ID6460263
AuthorsShahira Shahir (0009-0005-3364-1749), Xiaoni Ren (0000-0001-7009-5795), Shaista Noor (0000-0001-6313-4151)
Year2025
Volume113
Pages103193-103193
Publication date2025-08-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueWomen s Studies International Forum (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0277-5395 • E-ISSN: 1879-243X
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.wsif.2025.103193
OpenAlexW4413276371
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited41

The Taliban’s systemic exclusion of Afghan female academics represents both a loss of individual agency and abroader intellectual crisis. This study examines their lived experiences through the lens of Islamic feminism,which challenges cultural and political distortions of Islamic teachings used to justify gender-based oppression.Employing a qualitative research design, it draws on in-depth interviews with twelve Afghan female academics toexplore the psychological, economic, social, and professional consequences of Taliban policies. Thematic analysisidentifies four key themes: psychological distress, economic exclusion and career erasure, social isolation andloss of autonomy, and systemic gender-based oppression. The findings demonstrate that Taliban policies not onlystrip women of autonomy but also cultivate fear, despair, and socio-economic marginalisation, reinforcingentrenched patriarchy. We argue that Islamic feminism offers a contextually grounded framework for resistance,advocating for women’s rights to education, employment, and public participation within an Islamic paradigm.By examining the intersection of Taliban governance, systemic gender inequality, and the state of higher education (HE), this study contextualises the resilience and struggles of female academics. Urgent internationaladvocacy, policy reforms, and alternative education initiatives are needed to counteract these regressive policiesand support Afghan women in reclaiming their place in academia and society

Afghan · Democracy · Islam · Military rule · Political science · Politics · Rule of law · Sociology · Gender Politics and Representation · Gender Studies · History · Islamic Studies and History · Law · Politics and Conflicts in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Middle East

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