Author: رسانه‌ای گوهر شاد

1 year ago - 410 Visits

On the occasion of World Education Day, the World Food Programme has stated that no child should ever be forced to choose between food and education. In a message posted on its X account, the organization noted that it provides "nutritious meals" for over 700,000 students in Afghanistan. The United Nations World Food Programme emphasized that these snacks help students "focus, learn, and build the bright future they deserve." It is worth mentioning that January 24 marks World Education Day. The United Nations states that it has been 1,225 days since the current government's ban on education for girls above the sixth grade. Additionally, after regaining control of Afghanistan, the interim government prohibited girls above the sixth grade from attending school and subsequently closed the doors of universities to girls as well. In a recent move, it has also banned girls from studying in medical institutes, thus completely depriving them of access to formal education. Alongside this, women and girls have been prohibited from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, working in domestic and international non-governmental organizations, and even at United Nations offices in Afghanistan.

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1 year ago - 412 Visits

The Norwegian Refugee Council has stated that citizens of Afghanistan have been enduring the worst humanitarian crisis for over three years, pointing to a decrease in global community aid aimed at addressing the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. In a statement, the council noted that millions, including vulnerable women and children, are living in dire conditions and are facing temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees during the winter months. The statement continued that, with the worsening humanitarian crisis in the country, it is essential for international aid organizations to increase their efforts and provide assistance to those in need more than ever before. Jan Egeland, the head of the council who visited Afghanistan last week, mentioned that after decades of conflict, economic collapse, and devastating climate changes, the trend of Afghan migrants returning from neighboring countries has intensified, putting millions of citizens at risk of expulsion from neighboring countries. This senior official of the Norwegian Refugee Council, who recently visited the border point between Afghanistan and Iran, stated that many citizens who left their homeland for a better life and migrated to neighboring countries are now at risk of forced expulsion. He emphasized that these migrants are returning to Afghanistan while facing an uncertain future filled with unemployment, poverty, hunger, and other challenges. According to information from the Norwegian Refugee Council, Iran is attempting to expel at least two million migrants by March of this year, while Pakistan has expelled 800,000 Afghan migrants since October 2023. Jan Egeland also expressed concern over the severe restrictions imposed on women and girls by the interim government, stating that these restrictions will have negative impacts in various sectors. He added that the current government's recent ban on girls' education in medical institutes will directly affect women's health in the country and threaten their work and lives more than ever before. This comes at a time when the current government has imposed numerous restrictions on women and girls since regaining power in Afghanistan. This group banned girls from attending secondary and high schools in September 2021 and subsequently deprived women of education in universities and employment in non-governmental organizations in December 2022.

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1 year ago - 390 Visits

Jan Egeland, the Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council, states that Donald Trump's decision to suspend foreign aid from the United States is concerning. Egeland posted a message on his X account, stating that this is very bad news for Afghanistan. He emphasized: "The 90-day suspension of US foreign aid by Trump is a terrifying event for the displaced and hungry girls of Afghanistan." Egeland further added that Afghanistan should be exempt from this directive. The Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council also noted that women and girls in Afghanistan face even more obstacles regarding healthcare and education. In part of his message, he stressed his support for the international community's call to assist Afghanistan. It is worth mentioning that citizens of the country expect the new US administration to adopt an appropriate approach that considers the interests of the people regarding Afghanistan. They are urging Trump to pressure the current government to help Afghanistan emerge from international isolation and its crisis conditions. After the inauguration ceremony, Donald Trump signed an order indicating that humanitarian aid from the US to foreign countries would be suspended for 90 days to assess whether this aid serves America's interests. Additionally, Trump recently announced that the US is withdrawing from the World Health Organization.

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1 year ago - 558 Visits

Reuters has reported that an American official and a prominent advocate for refugee resettlement have stated that the flights for 1,660 Afghan citizens, who had been accepted by the U.S. government for resettlement in America, have been canceled at the order of Donald Trump. The report mentions that these individuals include unaccompanied minors waiting to join their families in the United States, as well as refugees who are at risk of retaliation because they fought for the former U.S.-backed government of Afghanistan. Shawn Van Dyke, president of the coalition supporting refugees known as "Afghan Evac," and another source said that the U.S. decision leaves thousands of other Afghans who have been approved for resettlement as refugees in the U.S. but have not yet had flights scheduled from Afghanistan or Pakistan in a state of uncertainty. The White House and the U.S. Department of State, which oversee U.S. refugee programs, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Van Dyke stated, "Afghans and their advocates are terrified. Today I had to charge my phone four times because so many people are calling me." Regarding contact with Trump's transition team, he said, "We warned them that this was going to happen, but they went ahead anyway. We hope they reconsider this." The organization Van Dyke leads is the main coalition working with the U.S. government on evacuating and resettling Afghan refugees in the country since the Taliban took over Kabul. It is noteworthy that since the withdrawal of American forces from Kabul, nearly 200,000 Afghan citizens have been relocated to the United States by the administration of former President Joe Biden. It is expected that one of the dozens of executive orders Trump will sign after being sworn in for a second time on Monday (January 21) will suspend U.S. refugee programs for at least four months. Additionally, the new White House website announced that Mr. Trump will suspend refugee resettlement after communities were forced to accommodate a large number of migrants, putting pressure on community security and resources.

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1 year ago - 603 Visits

Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S. special representative for Afghanistan reconciliation, has called for schools and universities in Afghanistan to reopen for girls and women with the start of the new academic year. In a message shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Khalilzad expressed hope, highlighting two recent developments regarding girls' education. He emphasized that one of these developments was the "Girls' Education in Islamic Societies" conference held in Pakistan, which reiterated the right to equal education. It is noteworthy that the Organization of Islamic Cooperation held this global conference last week in Islamabad, Pakistan's capital, with the participation of leaders and representatives from Islamic countries. Khalilzad also pointed to another significant development: Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the caretaker government, publicly opposed the ban on girls' education. On Saturday, January 18, during a graduation ceremony at a religious school in Khost, Stanikzai stated that women and girls have been unjustly deprived of education by the group’s leadership. Stanikzai remarked, "The current approach of the government is not based on Sharia but rather on the nature of this group." He added: “All of their [women's] rights are being violated. They are deprived of inheritance, cannot choose their husbands, are exchanged as property, denied education, and are not allowed to attend mosques. Universities are closed, and even religious schools are off-limits to them. Are we truly following Sharia?” The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that the main source of the global community's disagreements with the group revolves around the issue of women's and girls' education. In his message, Khalilzad said, "Afghan scholars, leaders of the current government who privately express their opposition to the ban on girls' and women’s higher education, and all patriotic Afghans must take action. High schools and universities must reopen with the start of Afghanistan's new year on March 21." This comes as the current government, since taking power, has gradually restricted and banned girls' education. It has now been 1,217 days since schools were closed to girls.

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1 year ago - 500 Visits

Shir Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the political deputy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the caretaker government, has urged government leaders to create opportunities for education for everyone. Mr. Stanikzai made this statement yesterday (Saturday, January 18) at a ceremony for the graduation of Hafiz and reciters at the "Mazharul Uloom Niazi" religious school in Khost, stating that there is no excuse for keeping educational institutions closed. He emphasized: “Our request to the leaders of the Islamic Emirate is to unconditionally open the doors of knowledge to everyone within the framework of Islamic principles; the world also has differences with us on this matter.” The deputy of the current Ministry of Foreign Affairs added that appointments in institutions should be based on meritocracy and that work should be entrusted to qualified individuals. He stated that if the current system has the support of citizens, no power can stand against it. Over the past three years, Abbas Stanikzai has repeatedly called on the caretaker government to provide educational opportunities for all citizens of Afghanistan. He had previously criticized the lack of reopening schools and universities for girls and expressed hope that schools would open “without discrimination” for everyone. It should be noted that for more than three years, the caretaker government has banned girls above the sixth grade from attending school in Afghanistan. The current Ministry of Higher Education has also prevented Afghan women and girls from studying at universities and educational centers. Additionally, the current government has prohibited women's and girls' education in health institutions. These actions by the current government have resulted in millions of female students being deprived of education. It is worth mentioning that alongside these restrictions, women have been banned from going to sports clubs, restaurants, public baths, being examined by male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working in domestic and international non-governmental organizations, as well as even in United Nations offices in Afghanistan.

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1 year ago - 447 Visits

Tajuddin Ivali, UNICEF representative in Afghanistan, emphasized the need to increase efforts to support the people of this country, especially children, in facing the water crisis. Mr. Ivali warned that the water crisis continues to threaten the lives and survival of children in Afghanistan. On Friday, January 18, he published a message on his X account, expressing gratitude to UNICEF partners for their cooperation with Afghanistan in 2024. According to this UN official, UNICEF provided assistance to one million people, including children, in the past year. Tajuddin Ivali has urged his partners to continue their efforts this year to address the water crisis in the country. While expressing concern over the escalating water crisis in Afghanistan, this UN official noted that the European Union's delegation for Afghanistan stated in August of this year that drought, pollution, and excessive water use threaten the water resources of the people. Moreover, according to a report published by the United Nations Development Programme at the end of 2023, Afghanistan ranked sixth among countries vulnerable to climate change. Additionally, Roza Otunbayeva, head of UNAMA (United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan), stated that Afghanistan remains vulnerable to climate change. UNAMA posted on its X account that Ms. Otunbayeva made these remarks at the "National Climate Change Conference" in Kabul and committed to addressing financial issues related to climate change. The head of UNAMA emphasized that options are being sought to amplify Afghanistan's voice at the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference.

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1 year ago - 504 Visits

On one of the cold autumn days in a corner of Kabul, there lived a girl named Parisa. She was 12 years old and, due to poverty and economic difficulties, had to go out to the streets early in the morning to sell flowers. Every day, Parisa would take a small basket filled with wildflowers she gathered from around the city to the central square. Among the flowers, she found beauty and hope, and by selling them, she tried to improve her family's situation. Parisa's father, who had previously worked as a construction worker, had become unemployed due to an injury. Her mother was also seriously ill and unable to work. Because of these responsibilities, Parisa never had the chance to go to school and continue her education. She kept all her dreams hidden in her heart: "Dreams of education, freedom, and a better life." One day, Parisa decided to sell her flowers at a lower price to attract more customers. In the following days, with tireless effort, she brought her flowers to the people. However, no one appreciated them, and most of the time she returned home empty-handed. One night, when Parisa returned home, she noticed that her mother's condition had worsened. She sadly approached her mother's bedside and realized they could no longer afford medicine. Tears welled up in her eyes as she wished she could bear the pain her family was enduring. The next morning, with a broken heart, Parisa went back to the streets. This time instead of selling flowers, she visited shops and asked if they could help her in any way. Wherever she went, she faced indifference and coldness. Exhausted and hopeless, Parisa sat on the side of the street, looking with tear-filled eyes at the life that hurt her every second as it passed by. That evening, when Parisa returned home, her mother was no longer by her side. Her death shattered Parisa's heart and left her in a world of darkness. Not only did she no longer bear the responsibility of her family, but now she was alone and vulnerable in a harsh and merciless world. However, Parisa decided to continue living. In memory of her mother, she persevered in her efforts, hoping that one day she could change her life. Her heart was filled with sorrow, but with memories of her mother, she continued to gather flowers and move forward in life. Hope and love for life gave Parisa the strength to spread light wherever she went. Author: Mohammad Reza Ramez

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1 year ago - 355 Visits

The Directorate of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice of the caretaker government in Daikundi has stated that its inspectors have informed barbers in the city of Nili, the capital of this province, that external haircuts, shaving beards, and trimming them from the "grip" are against Islamic Sharia and are considered "clear immoral acts." On Monday, January 14, this directorate issued a statement saying that the inspectors have communicated to barbers that these matters are explicitly mentioned in the law of promotion of virtue and prevention of vice, and people are obliged to adhere to them. The current Directorate of Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice has also stated that its inspectors monitored sports halls in the city of Nili and advised athletes to cover their "awrah" during exercise. According to the statement from this directorate, the inspectors told athletes that their knees are also part of their awrah and must be covered. Additionally, the statement mentions that they instructed athletes to stop exercising when they hear the call to prayer (adhan) and to perform their prayers. This comes as the caretaker government has previously requested barbers in several provinces to refrain from giving external and "un-Islamic" haircuts. The current government has also prohibited shaving beards and trimming them from the "grip," and in some cases, individuals have been detained or harassed over this issue.

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1 year ago - 645 Visits

Hussein Ibrahim Taha, the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, states that education for girls is not only a fundamental right but also recognized as a vital investment for Islamic communities. Mr. Taha made these remarks at a two-day conference titled "Education for Girls in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities," held in Pakistan. He emphasized that the progress of Islamic communities is not possible without the participation of women in all areas. He stressed that to achieve sustainable development, more effective and rapid steps must be taken to realize education for girls and women in Muslim communities. He highlighted the need for sustainable policies and appropriate financial resources to be allocated for the education of girls and women in Islamic countries, emphasizing that all countries must be held accountable in this regard. In part of his speech, the Secretary-General referred to the importance of the teachings of the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad regarding the education of girls and women, adding that Islam does not discriminate in this matter. The two-day meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation focused on education for girls in Muslim countries, particularly in Afghanistan, and began on Saturday, January 22, in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan. The conference, which concluded yesterday (Sunday, January 13), was attended by over 20 foreign ministers from Islamic countries, scholars from the Islamic world, and representatives from global Islamic organizations. Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and women's rights activist, also spoke at this conference about her experiences in promoting girls' education and urged the international community to provide more support for this movement. Additionally, Muhammad Al-Issa, Secretary-General of the World Muslim League and head of the Muslim Scholars Organization, stated at this meeting that Islam categorically rejects any form of deprivation of women's education, whether partial or complete, at any age, level, or specialization. While this meeting emphasized the importance of girls' education, the interim government has closed schools for girls above sixth grade and universities to female students after seizing control of Afghanistan. Although this action by the current government was initially described as temporary until "further notice," three years later, they have not only maintained this stance but have intensified it. In the latest instance, the current government has also prohibited girls and women from studying in medical educational institutions. Moreover, women and girls have been banned from going to parks, baths, beauty salons, traveling without a male guardian, speaking loudly, and working. These restrictions and prohibitions have sparked widespread global reactions.

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