Taliban’s Betrayal: The Stifling of Afghan Girls’ Education

As spring arrives, signaling the start of a new school year, Afghan families should be preparing for a season of learning and growth. However, this is the third year that the promise of education for Afghan girls has remained unfulfilled. The Taliban, who seized control of Afghanistan, have refused to reopen girls’ schools and universities, ignoring the demands of the Afghan people and enforcing policies that are not only un-Islamic but also anti-human rights.

For years, Afghan girls have fought for their right to education, facing threats, violence, and discrimination. Despite these challenges, they have shown remarkable courage and determination. With the collapse of the previous government, there was a glimmer of hope that the Taliban would respect the rights of all Afghan citizens, including the right to education for girls.

Unfortunately, this hope has been shattered. The Taliban’s refusal to reopen girls’ schools and universities is a severe setback to the progress made in Afghanistan. It is a clear violation of the fundamental right to education and a blatant disregard for the principles of Islam, which emphasizes the importance of knowledge and learning for all.

Education is not just a right; it is also a powerful tool for empowerment and development. When girls are educated, they contribute more to the economy and development. They also become active participants in their communities, advocating for positive change and contributing to peace and stability.

Following the resignation of Afghanistan’s permanent representative that went viral, the country’s mission at the world body said in a statement that Naseer Ahmad Faiq took charge as chargé d’affaires of the mission.

The Afghanistan mission said it continues to work closely with other member states to address the looming humanitarian crisis and to ensure human rights, including the rights of women and girls and minorities.

Addressing an event on “Promoting Women’s and Girls’ Equal Social, Economic and Political Rights in Afghanistan” at the UN headquarters in New York on Wednesday, Faiq stated that the people of Afghanistan face multiple obstacles and because the Taliban failed to “establish an accountable, functional, responsible and inclusive system of government based on the will of people.”