Kabul: Marking one year since the imposition of the education ban on girls, women in Afghanistan are urging the Taliban regime to reopen universities, as reported by Khaama Press (Afghanistan news agency).
The ban, instituted by the Taliban cabinet on December 20, prohibited Afghan female students from attending universities. Now, these women are advocating for the Taliban government to lift the ban and restore access to higher education.
Throughout the past year, girls and women have voiced their opposition to the education restrictions, demonstrating resilience in various forms. However, the firm stance of the Islamic Emirate on women’s freedoms, coupled with a perceived lack of concrete action by the international community, has deepened frustrations.
According to UNESCO, the number of female university students in Afghanistan was 5,000 in 2001, reaching nearly 100,000 by 2021. Unfortunately, this figure has dropped to zero in 2023, as reported by Khaama Press.
A report from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) highlights the adverse consequences of denying education to girls, including early and forced marriages.
In response, the spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Higher Education, without providing specific explanations, stated that the presence of girls in universities is suspended until further notice, according to Khaama Press.
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