The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) condemns the decision of the Taliban government to bar female students from Afghanistan’s universities.

“This action amounts to a grave violation of international human rights and must not be allowed to stand,” said CAUT Executive Director David Robinson. “We urge the government of Canada to exercise all the diplomatic pressure it can to ensure this decision is reversed and to provide immediate assistance to Afghan academics and students seeking to flee the Taliban regime.”

The Taliban regime has a long history of barring women and girls from educational opportunities. Earlier this year, it reversed its plan to reopen secondary schools to girls.

CAUT is calling on members to support Afghan academics and students at risk by donating online to the CAUT Refugee Foundation at CanadaHelps. CAUT is working with Scholars at Risk, the federal government, Education International, the Canadian Teachers’ Federation, the Canadian Labour Congress, and the International Trade Union Confederation to support at-risk scholars and facilitate opportunities for them in Canada.