Natkai, a 20-year-old Afghan student, explains that her only opportunity to pursue her studies further arose when the Taliban shut down women’s universities, leading her to seek a scholarship that would enable her to continue her education abroad.
Natkai has a different name now to keep her safe.
Women who express differing opinions are being subjected to severe treatment by the Taliban.
Despite the slim chances of attending university in her home country, Natkai persisted with her studies.
She received a scholarship to study at a university in Dubai, UAE, from a rich businessman named Sheikh Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor.
In December 2022, scholarships were offered to Afghan women because the Taliban made it forbidden for women to attend university.
According to BBC report, 100 Afghan women have been able to get these scholarships. Some Afghan students who are currently living outside of Afghanistan have already gone to Dubai.
She received a scholarship to study at a university in Dubai, UAE, from a rich businessman named Sheikh Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor.
In December 2022, scholarships were offered to Afghan women because the Taliban made it forbidden for women to attend university.
The BBC knows that 100 Afghan women have been able to get these scholarships. Some Afghan students who are currently living outside of Afghanistan have already gone to Dubai.
The Taliban didn’t let female students travel if they had male companions or chaperones with them.
On Wednesday 23 July, Natkai said bye to her family and left for the airport.
But her hopes were quickly crushed.
She said that when the Taliban officials saw our tickets and student visas, they told us that girls are not allowed to leave Afghanistan with student visas.
Prevented from going on a trip.
Natkai is one girl out of about 60 who were not allowed to enter the airport.
The pictures shown by the BBC display young girls wearing black hijabs or headscarves, standing beside their bags, feeling shocked and devastated.
The Taliban made a rule that women cannot travel alone. They can only go outside the country with their husbands or a male family member like a brother, uncle, or father. This person is known as a mahram, or a male escort.
But even that wasn’t sufficient.
“Natkai said there were three girls with a mahram on the plane. ” “But people from the ministry responsible for promoting good behavior and discouraging bad behavior removed them from the aircraft. ”
The other students were too scared to talk to the press.
Women have been removed from university banners
A young man named Shams Ahmad went to the airport with his sister and talked about how upset he was.
The scholarship gave my sister new hope when the universities were closed. “He says that she left her house feeling optimistic but came back crying. “She no longer has any rights. ”
MrAhmad says that some of the women had to borrow money to pay for a visa for a male friend or partner to go with them, but they were still not allowed to go.
Some of these girls are really in need and don’t have much. They do not have enough money (only £4; $5) to pay for the fee asked by the foreign affairs ministry to verify their documents.
The Taliban make it hard for women and girls to learn and make money by imposing many rules and constraints on them.
The University of Dubai and Mr. Al Habtoor said that the girls were prevented from doing something.
Mr Al Habtoor posted a video on X, which was previously called Twitter. In the text, he says that according to Islam, men and women should be treated equally and criticizes the Taliban for not doing so.
The video also has a message in English from an Afghan girl who was not allowed to go through the airport.
She says, “We are currently at the airport, but unfortunately, the government won’t let us go to Dubai. ” They do not allow people without a relative to enter. I’m not sure what to do. Please assist us.
The way other countries respond to something happening globally.
This recent action of the Taliban has made rights groups and diplomats very upset.
Despite the risks, Afghan women have organized many demonstrations but have been unsuccessful in changing the policy of the ruling Taliban.
Heather Barr from Human Rights Watch says that the Taliban are being even more cruel by not allowing girls and women to get an education. She thinks this is very important and worrying.
“They are being held captive to stop anyone else from assisting them with their studies. ”
The ex-youth representative from Afghanistan at the United Nations, Shkula Zadran, has sent a message asking the university to continue supporting girls.
The Taliban haven’t said anything or given any explanation.
A person who speaks for the Vice and Virtue ministry, Mohammad Sadiq Akif Muhajir, told the BBC that they did not know about the incident.
A top member of the Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, said he can’t give any information because he’s currently traveling.
Natkai is feeling really sad.
She finished high school and was getting ready for the university entrance exam when the Taliban gained control on August 15, 2021.
Natkai believed she had discovered a way to pursue her aspirations. She says she doesn’t want to talk to the Taliban because they don’t welcome or value women.
She is asking everyone to not leave Afghan girls or their education.
I didn’t get a chance in a country where being a girl is considered wrong. I feel really unhappy and I don’t know what I should do or what will happen to me in the future.