Economist correspondent details bleak outlook for Afghan girls’ education

Tom Sasse, The Economist’s South Asia bureau chief, has provided an on-the-ground account from Kabul regarding the educational landscape for girls in Afghanistan. His reporting focuses on the conditions and future prospects for the few Afghan girls who remain able to attend school under the current regime.

The account highlights the severe limitations placed on female education in the capital. Sasse’s observations underscore the constrained environment in which these students operate, noting the scarcity of educational access compared to previous periods.

The report centres on the immediate reality inside one of the few remaining girls’ schools in Kabul. It serves as a direct observation of the systemic barriers that continue to shape the lives of young women in the country, offering a glimpse into the daily existence of those who have not been entirely excluded from the classroom.

Sasse’s dispatch provides context on the broader restrictions on female education following the Taliban’s return to power. While specific details regarding student numbers or curriculum content are not elaborated upon in the summary, the focus remains on the overarching theme of a restricted future for this demographic.

The publication of this report by The Economist on 11 August 2026 adds to the international record of conditions in Afghanistan. It reflects the ongoing scrutiny of human rights and educational access in the region, with correspondents continuing to document the impact of policy decisions on civilian life.

The situation described by Sasse illustrates the persistent challenges facing the education sector in Afghanistan. For the small cohort of girls who can still study, the path forward remains narrow, with the report framing their prospects as bleak in the current political climate.