Afghanistan
The Taliban in Afghanistan has denied several women access to study abroad, according to the BBC, Reuters and AFP. “After the Taliban closed universities to women, my only hope was to get a scholarship to help me study abroad,” 20-year-old Natkai told the BBC. Her name has been changed for security reasons. 20-year-old Natkai is one of several Afghan women who have been awarded a scholarship to the University of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Just over a month ago, she was ready to go. She had said goodbye to her family and headed for the airport. However, her dream was quickly shattered, the BBC writes. “When Taliban officials saw our tickets and student visas, they said girls are not allowed to leave Afghanistan on student visas,” she said. /ritzau/