An informed source at the Ministry of Higher Education, who wishes to remain anonymous, told 8am newspaper that according to the directive from the leadership of the ministry, female applicants will not be admitted to specialized and professional fields of higher education this year. The source, who participated in one of the Ministry's meetings, learned that engineering, agriculture, journalism, mining, and veterinary science are among the fields from which women will be excluded in this round of the university entrance exam.

The source further explained that during the month of Sunbula (September), a delegation from the leadership of the Ministry of Higher Education traveled to various universities across the provinces and reminded the university officials not to accept female candidates in faculties such as agriculture, engineering, mining, journalism, and veterinary science. The source emphasized: "In these meetings, it was clearly stated that midwifery and education are sufficient for girls, and they should only become teachers or midwives."

Abdul Qadir Khamosh, the head of the National Examination Authority, did not respond to repeated calls from 8am newspaper for further details on this matter." (Amin Kawa, 8am)

Reports from within the Ministry of Higher Education indicate that the Taliban have barred female applicants from entering professional fields such as engineering, agriculture, journalism, mining, and veterinary science in the upcoming university admissions cycle. Ministry delegates reportedly told university officials that education and midwifery are “sufficient” for women.

This directive marks a further escalation in the Taliban’s systematic effort to confine women’s roles in society, curtailing their intellectual, professional, and economic participation to narrowly defined, gender-prescribed paths