Taliban Holds Third Bar Exam Without Afghan Women

On Monday, the Taliban's Ministry of Justice announced the third round of Bar exams in Kabul for issuing work permits to Afghans hoping to become lawyers.

Officials from the ministry stated that more than 500 applicants participated in this exam, but no Afghan female applicant had been allowed to attend it.

Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, this is the third year when the Bar exam has been held without the participation of Afghan women.

Abdul Karim Haidar, the Taliban's Deputy Minister of Justice, said, "After passing the exam and obtaining a licence, lawyers represent this ministry. Therefore, their appearance and conduct must conform to Islamic Sharia."

Before the Taliban's takeover, Bar exams were conducted by the Independent Afghan Bar Association. In December 2021, the Taliban shut down the central office of this association in Kabul and halted its operations.

The Taliban have not provided an explanation for the exclusion of women from the Bar exams in Afghanistan.