Afghan female professors condemn salary reduction as humiliating and unjust

Female professors at Afghanistan universities have declared that the reduction of their salaries to 5,000 Afghanis is “humiliating.”

These professors assert that while students need to benefit from their expertise and experience, the Taliban has decided to confine female staff to their homes.

A group of female professors from Afghanistan universities, who are members of the academic staff at the Ministry of Higher Education, state: “We studied for at least twenty years, conducted research, and engaged in scientific research, but for the past two years, we have been sitting at home, struggling with the worst mental and emotional conditions.”

These university professors add that in a society where customs replace reason, human needs, and even religion, no more can be expected.

These female experts say: “We waited hoping that the Taliban would recognize that the children of Afghanistan need us and end the humiliation and insults at the university gates. However, not only has nothing changed, but the salaries of academic staff have been aligned with those of the laborers.”

On June 5, the Taliban administration announced that Hibatullah Akhundzada, the group’s leader, has set the salaries of all female employees in government offices at 5,000 Afghanis.

The Taliban’s salary reduction for female government employees initially caused confusion and delays, including for teachers. Protests by female employees from hospitals and schools led the Taliban to clarify that only the salaries of those confined at home would be cut.

Among these employees are female professors at Afghanistan universities, who, according to the Taliban’s decision, are not allowed to teach male students at universities. The Taliban has banned higher education and advanced learning for girls beyond the sixth grade.

Female university professors in Afghanistan have described the 5,000 Afghani salary allocation for female academic staff as an act of oppression and injustice by the Taliban, expressing uncertainty about how long the humiliation and disrespect towards female university professors will continue.

The ongoing situation highlights a severe disregard for the contributions and rights of female academic professionals in Afghanistan. The reduction of salaries, coupled with restrictions on their professional activities, underscores a broader pattern of systemic discrimination and suppression.

As these female professors continue to face these adversities, there is a pressing need for international attention and intervention to address these injustices and advocate for the rights of women in Afghanistan’s education sector.

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