In a statement on March 27, the United Nations expressed deep concern over a decision by Afghanistan's Taliban rulers to deny girls access to high school education. The UN Secretary-General António Guterres also expressed his disappointment at the Taliban's decision, saying that the denial of education violates the equal rights of women and girls to education.
Earlier, the Taliban-led government backtracked on their announcement of reopening schools for girls, saying high schools would remain closed until a plan was drawn up in accordance with Islamic law for them to reopen. The decision came after months of work by the international community to support teacher stipendsas girls were eager to walk to their schools for the first time in seven months.
Since taking control of Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed sweeping restrictions on women, including banning them from participating in the government’s work, leaving the city alone and controlling the clothes they are allowed to wear. On March 27, Afghan aviation officials said the Taliban have ordered airlines throughout the country to stop women from boarding flights unless accompanied by a male relative.
With the aspiration to build a woman-friendly society, women’s rights activists pledged to launch a wave of protests across the country if the Taliban fail to reopen schools for female high school students within a week. At a press conference in Kabul on March 27, activist Halima Nasari read a statement issued by four women’s rights groups, calling on the Taliban to reverse the aforesaid decision. Additionally, according to the above announcement, the Taliban should build more schools for girls in rural areas rather than shutting existing facilities.
The Foreign Ministers from the US, the UK, France, Italy, Norwayand Canada, including high-ranking representatives of the European Union (EU), issued a joint statement calling on the Taliban to fulfil the public commitments they made to the Afghan people and the international community, saying thisdecision would deeply damage Afghanistan's prospects for social cohesion and economic growth.
The above countries said all Afghan citizens, whether male or female, have equal rights to study at all education levels in everyprovince and city. Therefore, they called on the Taliban to quickly reverse its decision, which will have consequences far beyond the negative effects on girls in Afghanistan. Despite the disagreements, the United Nations called on the international community to work with the Taliban to provide the Afghan people with substantial help.
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Afghanistan and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan Deborah Lyons said there was still an enduring mistrust between the Taliban and much of the international community, even countries in the region and neighbours of Afghanistan.
On the anniversary of the signing of the Doha Agreement between the Taliban and the US, the Taliban reiterated their declared commitment to ensure that Afghanistan does not become a threat to any country while expressing their desire for good relations with all states and international organisations. Lyons noted that UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has made efforts to become a bridge, conveying to the Taliban the concerns of the international community and working with the Taliban to solve many problems, including humanitarian delivery.
The reality in Afghanistan has been demanding, the international community and the UN organisations should strengthen connectivity and cooperation with this country. The coordination with the Taliban will provide an opportunity to shape the future of people in Afghanistan, freeing them from conflict and helping their rights to be respected.
In the immediate future, the decision to shut secondary schools to female students should be reserved to ensure girls have equal access to education for their future and the prosperity of the country.
