Under the Taliban’s New Order: Education and Human Rights in Afghanistan

Date:: Wednesday 27th October 2021
Time:: 5pm-6pm
Venue:: Online via Zoom

The recent return of the Taliban has raised serious concerns about the future of education and human rights for young Afghans. In resistance to Western occupation that justifies their control, the Taliban’s plans are gradually unfolding. Girls and woman are most at risk.

In this panel discussion, we are joined by Dr Weeda Mehran, University of Exeter, and Dr Tejendra Pherali, UCL Institute of Education, University College London.

Building on extensive fieldwork, Dr Mehran will open the discussion by exploring the new Taliban government's claims to protect women's and girls' human rights, including through the use of propaganda and its realities on the ground. She will also consider the possibilities for women and girls in relation to nonviolent resistance.

Next, Dr Pherali will present his recent research on the state of the Afghan education system shortly before the Taliban’s new order and explore what is next for young Afghan’s fragile futures.

This panel discussion would be of particular interest to anyone working or studying in the fields of Education and Conflict, International Development and Politics and International Relations.

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About the speakers

Dr Weeda Mehran

Dr Weeda Mehran is Assistant Professor in Politics and the Director of Conflict, Security and Development at the University of Exeter. A specialist in Afghanistan, her research takes a transdisciplinary approach that includes the depiction of women and girls in Taliban propaganda.

Dr Tejendra Pherali

Dr Tejendra Pherali is Associate Professor in Education and International Development at UCL Institute of Education, University College London. His research focus includes education and conflict in Afghanistan, Lebanon and Nepal. Tejendra leads a course on Education, Conflict and Fragility at UCL Institute of Education and is editor of the Education and Conflict Review.