Silenced voices, enduring struggles: An Islamic feminist analysis of afghan female academics under Taliban rule

Abstract

The Taliban's systemic exclusion of Afghan female academics represents both a loss of individual agency and a broader 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 to explore the psychological, economic, social, and professional consequences of Taliban policies. Thematic analysis identifies four key themes: psychological distress, economic exclusion and career erasure, social isolation and loss of autonomy, and systemic gender-based oppression. The findings demonstrate that Taliban policies not only strip women of autonomy but also cultivate fear, despair, and socio-economic marginalisation, reinforcing entrenched 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 international advocacy, policy reforms, and alternative education initiatives are needed to counteract these regressive policies and support Afghan women in reclaiming their place in academia and society.