The Taliban has recently extended the education ban for girls in Afghanistan, causing widespread dismay and concern for the future of girls' education in the country. Bahara Rustam, 13, ended her schooling at Bibi Razia School in Kabul, uncertain if she will ever return to a classroom under Taliban rule. The official Education Ministry has said that Afghan girls are allowed to study in religious schools called madrassas, although it is unclear if these schools offer a standardized curriculum that includes modern subjects.

As many girls face the reality of being barred from pursuing their education, U.N. special envoy Roza Otunbayeva expressed deep concern for the generation of Afghan girls that is falling behind. In light of these developments, analyst Muhammad Saleem Paigir warned that the exclusion of women and girls from education will have disastrous consequences for the country, and that illiterate people cannot be free and prosperous. As the Taliban continues to deny women access to education and many public spaces and jobs, many girls like Bahara and Setayesh are left wondering what their future holds.