Education for Girls in Afghanistan: A Critical Issue for the
Nation and the World
As the Taliban persist in their quest for official
recognition, a significant issue that remains unaddressed is the education of
girls. Recently, a deputy minister from Afghanistan's Ministry for the
Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice dismissed the closure of high
schools and colleges for female students as a "minor issue" that the
West focuses on at the expense of recognizing the Islamic Emirate as the
country's official government.
The deputy minister, Sayed Ahmad Shahidkhil, suggested that
Afghan people should prioritize the recognition of their government rather than
female education, implying that the latter is a distraction. However,
international officials and aid figures argue that progress in recognizing the
Islamic Emirate is likely tied to improvements in girls' education.
Shahidkhil's remarks came before UN-led talks in Qatar between
the Islamic Emirate and international envoys. This was the third such meeting
and the first attended by Taliban officials. Rights activists criticized the
exclusion of Afghan women from these talks, but the UN emphasized that women's
rights would be discussed as part of a gradual process.
The Taliban maintain that women's rights and education are
domestic issues to be resolved internally. Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesperson
for the Islamic Emirate, echoed this sentiment, stressing that Afghan matters
should be handled by Afghans themselves.
Despite the Taliban's stance, many within Afghanistan have
been vocal about the importance of female education. Since the Taliban's return
to power in August 2021, there have been numerous calls from various provinces
to reopen girls' high schools. Protests by male and female students alike
highlight the widespread demand for educational rights.
The determination to educate girls is evident, with many
Afghan families finding ways to send their daughters abroad for schooling
despite significant obstacles. This includes economic hardships, visa
difficulties, and travel restrictions that require women to have a male
relative accompany them.
The financial and societal impacts of the restrictions on
female education are substantial. The UN estimates that the closure of schools
for girls has cost Afghanistan over $5.4 billion, and there has been a
significant decline in female employment.
Internationally, the closure of schools for girls has been
condemned universally. Countries such as Qatar, Turkiye, Saudi Arabia, and the
UAE, as well as organizations like the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation,
have voiced their concerns. Even close allies of the Taliban, like Iran and
China, have called for an end to discriminatory measures against women.
While some Taliban officials downplay the issue, the
education of girls in Afghanistan remains a critical concern both domestically
and internationally. The Afghan people and the global community continue to
push for the rights of girls and women to access education, recognizing its
importance for the nation's future and stability.
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