Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, has urged the caretaker government of Afghanistan to immediately reverse the decree barring girls from universities, marking two years since the closure of higher education institutions for Afghan girls.
The US Special Envoy for Afghan Women and Human Rights also stated that the international community must prioritize human rights, particularly the rights of Afghan women and girls, in all interactions with the caretaker government.
Antony Blinken said: “It’s been two years since Taliban banned women and girls from universities and Afghan women from working in NGOs. Afghan women and girls are the lynchpin to a more stable, peaceful, and prosperous Afghanistan. We call on the Taliban to immediately reverse these edicts.”
Rina Amiri, US Special Envoy for Afghan Women and Human Rights, said: “The international community must continue prioritizing human rights, particularly the rights of women and girls, in any engagement with the Taliban. Progress in improving diplomatic and economic ties must be meaningfully linked to concrete measures to reverse extreme policies targeting women and girls.”
Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai also emphasized that Afghan girls’ demand for reopening schools and universities is their fundamental right. He expressed hope that educational doors for Afghan girls would reopen soon, stating that Afghanistan cannot have a bright future without educating its girls.
In a statement, Karzai said: “I support the voices of Afghan girls calling for the reopening of schools and universities. I consider this a basic right and stress that without girls’ education, Afghanistan will never have a bright future. Education is essential for the progress and development of Afghanistan, and I hope the doors of schools and universities will open for girls as soon as possible.”
Bahara Atai, a university professor, told TOLOnews: “The closure of universities in Afghanistan not only endangers the individual futures of Afghan women and girls but also poses risks to a significant portion of society. The international community must take effective and necessary measures regarding Afghan women and girls.”
Mohammad Aslam Danishyar, another university professor, said: “This issue, which the international community has turned into a major concern and has worried Afghans, especially women, will eventually end, and the Islamic Emirate will gain the people’s support.”
Reactions to the two-year closure of universities come as, on 29 of Qaus, 1401 solar year, the Ministry of Higher Education issued a decree barring female students from attending universities until further notice, sparking widespread domestic and international criticism.
The Islamic Emirate has yet to respond to the US Secretary of State’s demands.