UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell has stated that the ban on education for girls above sixth grade in Afghanistan has deprived millions of girls of their right to education.
In a statement marking the start of the 1404 (solar year) academic year in Afghanistan, she warned that if this ban persists until 2030, over four million girls will have been deprived of their right to education beyond primary school.
“The ban negatively impacts the health system, the economy, and the future of the nation. With fewer girls receiving an education, girls face a higher risk of child marriage with negative repercussions on their well-being and health,” stated Russell.
She added that this ban, in addition to other negative consequences, will also reduce the number of female health workers, and as a result, it is anticipated that around 1,600 mothers will lose their lives.
Russell pointed that, “With fewer female doctors and midwives, girls and women will not receive the medical treatment and support they need. We are estimating an additional 1,600 maternal deaths and over 3,500 infant deaths. These are not just numbers, they represent lives lost and families shattered.”
Despite the ban, UNICEF has announced that it has provided access to education for 445,000 children through community-based learning, 64 per cent of whom are girls
The organization has called on the Islamic Emirate to reopen the doors of education for girls above the sixth grade.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education of the Islamic Emirate announced the start of the new academic year in the colder regions of the country last Thursday, but the fate of education for girls above the sixth grade remains uncertain.