Amnesty International has described the continued ban on girls’ education beyond sixth grade in Afghanistan as unjustifiable and a clear violation of the fundamental right to education.
In a statement, the organization called on the Islamic Emirate to allow all girls to attend schools regardless of their age.
Amnesty International said: [March 22] is the start of the new school year in Afghanistan but girls above grade six are banned from education. This is unjustifiable and in violation of fundamental human rights to education. The Taliban must allow girls of all ages to attend school.”
“My request of the government is to reopen schools and allow girls to achieve their goals,” said Eshwa, a student.
Meanwhile, an organization named “Education Cannot Wait” also stated that every girl deserves safety, opportunity, and hope for education.
According to this organization, currently 2.2 million girls in Afghanistan are deprived of education.
In a statement, the organization said: “Girls above 6th grade are still deprived of their right to education. Since the ban, 2.2M girls have been denied an education – a number that could exceed 4M by 2030. Every girl deserves the safety, opportunity & hope of education. No exceptions.”
“The new school year has begun, boys can go, but girls are disappointed and cannot continue their studies. My request is for the school gates to be opened for girls,” Farzana, another student
This comes as on Thursday, the Ministry of Education announced the start of the 1404 solar year academic session for boys and girls below the sixth grade but did not mention reopening schools for girls above sixth grade.