Afghanistan bans schoolgirls older than 12 from singing — reports Afghanistan's government has reportedly decreed that girls will only be allowed to sing at women-only events. The ban sparked outrage among social media users, many of whom said it resembled the Taliban's policies Afghanistan's Education Ministry is barring schoolgirls older than 12 from singing at public events, media reported on Wednesday. The reports come amid growing fears that the Taliban could regaining power in Afghanistan as the group negotiates a peace deal with the United States. Schoolgirls older than 12 will only be able to sing at events that are "100% attended by women," according to a letter of the decision shared by the Kabul-based broadcaster Ariana News on Twitter.