Afghan capital's ban on schoolgirls singing in public sparks outrage and an investigation

Afghanistan's Ministry of Education says it is investigating an order by the Kabul Directorate of Education banning schoolgirls over the age of 12 from singing in public. The order has sparked outrage, including an online protest campaign by Afghan activists who have posted videos of themselves signing their favorite songs on social media.

Kabul's education department issued the order last week to school boards across the capital instructing them not to allow girls over 12 to attend choir classes or sing at public events. It noted that "ceremonies with 100% female participants are an exception."