"After the Taliban closed universities for women, I had one hope left: to secure a scholarship for studying abroad," says 20-year-old Afghan student Natkai, whose name has been changed for safety. The Taliban's crackdown on women opposing them was severe. Natkai persevered in her studies, even though the chances of attending a university in her homeland were slim. Then, she received a scholarship from Emirati billionaire Sheikh Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor to study at the University of Dubai in the UAE. These scholarships for Afghan women were announced in December 2022 following the Taliban's ban on women attending university. Approximately 100 Afghan women have successfully obtained these scholarships, with some students already having travelled to Dubai.

Natkai is among at least 60 girls who were denied boarding at the airport. Photos seen by the BBC depict young girls, wearing black hijabs or headscarves, standing beside their luggage in a state of shock and devastation.

The Taliban's restrictions on women's travel now require them to be accompanied by a male companion, such as a husband, brother, uncle, or father, known as a mahram. However, even meeting this requirement proved insufficient.

"Three girls who had a mahram were already on the plane," Natkai explains. "But officials from the Vice and Virtue ministry removed them from the plane."

The remaining students were too afraid to speak with the media.

A young man, whom we'll refer to as Shams Ahmad, accompanied his sister to the airport and shared their distressing experience.

"The scholarship brought a new ray of hope for my sister when local universities closed down. She left home with optimism but returned in tears," he laments. "She's been deprived of all her rights."

Mr. Ahmad reveals that some of the women went as far as borrowing money to obtain a visa for a male companion, hoping it would enable their travel, but they were still turned away.

"Many of these girls are in dire straits and financially disadvantaged. They can't even afford the 400 Afghanis (£4; $5) needed for document verification, as requested by the foreign affairs ministry."

The University of Dubai and Mr. Al Habtoor has verified that the girls were prevented from travelling.

Mr. Al Habtoor conveyed his message in a video posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. In the video, he criticises the Taliban authorities, emphasising that men and women share equal status in Islam.

The video also includes a voice message in English from an Afghan girl who was barred from leaving the airport.

"We are currently at the airport, but unfortunately, the government is not permitting us to travel to Dubai," she laments. "They are not even allowing those who have a mahram. I'm unsure of what to do. Please, we need assistance."

Source: BBC