Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, has condemned the continued ban on education for girls above grade six in Afghanistan, calling it a violation of their right to education.
Bahous stressed that girls in Afghanistan must return to school and access their right to education.
She stated: “As a new school year begins in Afghanistan, the doors remain shut to thousands of girls—for the third year in a row. This violation of their right to education will haunt generations. Girls must return to school. Their fundamental rights must be restored—without delay.”
“Afghanistan’s progress depends on the education and advancement of both male and female populations—that means girls and boys. My request to the Islamic government is to reopen schools and universities for girls as soon as possible so we can build a cultured and advanced country.”
Meanwhile, Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, said in a press briefing that by 2030, over four million girls will be deprived of education in Afghanistan. According to him, Afghanistan cannot afford to leave half of its population behind under these restrictions.
He added that UNICEF has provided education access to more than 440,000 children in Afghanistan, 64 percent of whom are girls.
“UNICEF said Afghanistan cannot leave half of its population behind. Despite the ban, UNICEF has provided access to education to some 445,000 children through community-based learning, 64 percent of whom are girls. It is also empowering female teachers to ensure that girls have positive role models,” Dujarric said.
Salim Paigir, a political analyst, said: “We are still waiting for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to create opportunities for Afghan girls to receive both primary and higher education.”
So far, the Islamic Emirate has not responded to the reactions surrounding the new academic year and the continued education ban on girls.