Human Lives Human Rights: The United Nations has condemned the Taliban’s systematic denial of education to girls, with a staggering 1.4 million girls being deliberately deprived of their right to an education in the past three years. This alarming trend has resulted in a devastating 80% drop-out rate among Afghan school-age girls, leaving their future in jeopardy.
The UNESCO report highlights the Taliban’s draconian restrictions on girls’ education, including the ban on girls attending secondary schools and universities, which is a stark contrast to the rest of the world. The international community must take immediate action to pressure the Taliban to reopen schools and universities to girls and women, as urged by UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay.
The UN’s findings are a stark reminder of the Taliban’s disregard for human rights, particularly those of women and girls. The organization’s decision to impose restrictions on women, including the ban on female teachers from teaching boys, has further exacerbated the crisis. The number of primary pupils has also fallen, with enrollment in higher education decreasing by 53% since 2021.
The consequences of this denial of education are far-reaching, with UNESCO warning that it could lead to a rise in child labor and early marriage. The country is also facing a critical shortage of graduates trained for high-skilled jobs, which will exacerbate development problems.
This crisis is not just a humanitarian issue, but also a fundamental human rights violation. The international community must hold the Taliban accountable for their actions and work towards ensuring that all Afghan children, regardless of gender, have access to quality education.
