The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have announced that since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, the de facto authorities of Afghanistan have deprived around 2.2 million adolescent girls of education. In a joint report on the state of education in Afghanistan, the organizations stated that each school year, an estimated 397,000 children drop out and are unable to continue their studies. According to the report, by 2024, more than 2.13 million primary school–aged children were out of school, 60 percent of whom are girls. The report further notes that Afghanistan’s education sector is under immense pressure due to multiple, simultaneous humanitarian shocks. It adds that by 2025, an estimated 8.9 million children, including 888,000 children with disabilities, will require emergency education support. At the same time, around 2.7 million Afghans have been expelled from Iran and Pakistan since 2023, and 40 percent of them are children. The report highlights that many of the returning children, especially girls over the age of 12, face serious difficulties enrolling in schools due to a lack of infrastructure and existing restrictions. UNICEF and UNESCO warn that the return of migrants is placing additional strain on Afghanistan’s education system and increasing the number of children and adolescents out of school. The report also states that since taking control of Afghanistan, the current authorities have banned women and girls from education. In their latest restriction, they closed medical institutes to female students, even as the health sector faces severe staff shortages. This policy has resulted in millions of school-aged girls being denied education. In addition, women have been banned from going to gyms, restaurants, public baths, receiving medical care from male doctors, traveling without a male guardian, and working with domestic and international NGOs, as well as in UN offices across Afghanistan.

The British Embassy for Afghanistan has announced, on the occasion of the International Day of the Girl, that the United Kingdom will continue to support Afghan girls who are facing serious challenges in accessing education. In a statement posted on its official account on X, the embassy wrote: “Educating girls empowers them, strengthens communities, and drives economic growth.” October 11, corresponding to the 19th of Mizan, has been designated by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Day of the Girl Child. The British Embassy further emphasized that no country can advance if half of its population is left behind. It is worth noting that since returning to power, the de facto authorities have banned girls from attending school. The government has even prohibited medical education for women, despite Afghanistan’s critical shortage of female doctors. According to UNESCO statistics, 1.4 million girls above grade six in Afghanistan are currently denied access to schooling. Additionally, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has previously reported that by the end of this year, the number of girls deprived of education in Afghanistan may exceed 2.2 million. Despite this, the international community and Afghan citizens have repeatedly urged the current government over the past four years to allow women and girls to receive education — but these calls have so far been ignored. A UN survey also shows that 92% of Afghan citizens believe that girls should be allowed to study.

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has recently stated that Afghanistan’s education system is facing enormous challenges, but the opportunity for rebuilding still remains. In a message posted on its X account today (Saturday, October 11), UNICEF wrote that lifting the ban on secondary education for girls and investing in primary education are essential to protect progress and to keep education accessible for every girl and boy. It is worth noting that after returning to power, the interim government deprived women and girls of education and work. The current administration has even banned medical education for women and girls, despite the country’s severe shortage of female doctors. Additionally, women have been prohibited from going to gyms, restaurants, and public baths; being examined by male doctors; traveling without a male guardian; and working in national and international NGOs, as well as in United Nations offices in Afghanistan. According to UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), 1.4 million girls above grade six are currently barred from attending school in Afghanistan. Over the past four years, both the international community and Afghan citizens have repeatedly urged the current government to allow girls and women access to education, but these calls have so far been ignored. It should be noted that a United Nations survey shows that 92 percent of Afghan citizens believe that girls should be allowed to study.

The World Bank has recently stated that no region in the world would benefit as much from removing barriers to women’s participation as the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. According to the Bank, enabling women to engage fully in the workforce could pave the way for sustainable growth and economic justice across the region. In its newly released report, the World Bank noted that the economic outlook for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan is improving in 2025. The report projects that the region’s economic growth will reach 2.8% in 2025 and 3.3% in 2026. However, the Bank warned that global instability, ongoing conflicts, shifts in trade policies, and rising displacement could threaten this economic recovery. The report highlights that Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries will benefit from the gradual end of voluntary oil production cuts and the expansion of non-oil industries. Meanwhile, oil-importing countries are expected to experience economic recovery driven by increased private investment, public spending, and revitalized agricultural and tourism sectors. Titled “Jobs and Women: Untapped Talent, Unrealized Growth,” the report underscores the crucial role of women’s participation in the region’s economic development. According to World Bank findings, only about 20% of women in the region are part of the labor force — the lowest female participation rate in the world. Ousmane Dioune, the World Bank Vice President for the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, stated: “I’m calling for bold actions, not incremental steps. To fully unlock women’s potential in the region, the barriers to their participation must be comprehensively addressed. A dynamic private sector that creates jobs and reshapes aspirations is the key to real progress.” Roberta Gatti, the World Bank’s Chief Economist for the region, also emphasized: “Increasing women’s labor force participation could lead to significant economic gains. Removing obstacles that prevent women from working could raise per capita GDP in countries such as Egypt, Jordan, and Pakistan by 20 to 30 percent.”

The United Nations Women’s Section, on the occasion of World Teachers’ Day, has stated that “education is not a crime” and that 92% of Afghans consider girls’ education important. The organization wrote on its X account today (Monday, 14th of Mizan) that this figure was obtained through a survey involving 2,000 Afghan citizens. UN Women further emphasized: “When girls are educated, they unlock the power to shape a better future for everyone.” The agency had previously reported that over 80% of girls and women in Afghanistan have been deprived of access to education and employment. Similarly, UNAMA (the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan) and the European Union also highlighted the importance of girls’ education yesterday in connection with World Teachers’ Day. UNAMA stated that education is vital and essential for building a peaceful, stable, self-reliant, resilient, and prosperous Afghanistan. However, since the Taliban’s return to power, the celebration of World Teachers’ Day in Afghanistan has been banned. Most recently, the Herat Department of Education has instructed both public and private schools in the province not to celebrate Teachers’ Day. It is worth noting that October 5 is designated as World Teachers’ Day and is celebrated globally.

On the occasion of World Teachers’ Day, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai expressed hope that equal and broad educational opportunities will be provided for all boys and girls in the country. In a message posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account today (Sunday, October 5), Karzai congratulated all teachers—especially female teachers—on the occasion of World Teachers’ Day and appreciated their dedication to Afghanistan’s education sector. He emphasized: “It is evident that teachers in Afghanistan, despite exhaustion, difficulties, economic pressures, and limited resources, continue to strive for the education and upbringing of the country’s children, performing their duties with full commitment and sincerity.” Karzai further wrote: “I especially value the contributions of female teachers who serve for a prosperous Afghanistan. It is through their dedication and hard work that the children of our beloved country attain higher levels of education and become capable of serving themselves, their families, and their society.” The former president expressed hope that equal and widespread educational opportunities would soon be available for all Afghan boys and girls, enabling them to achieve their dreams and lead the country toward prosperity and development. Meanwhile, the European Union office in Kabul also posted a message on its X account, stating that education for all is the key to a resilient and self-reliant Afghanistan that strengthens economic growth. The EU delegation praised the tireless efforts of all Afghan teachers, particularly female teachers. It is worth noting that October 5 is officially recognized as World Teachers’ Day and is celebrated globally. However, the interim government has reportedly instructed that this day not be observed in Afghanistan.

The UN Women has recently announced that it urgently needs 2.5 million USD to expand its emergency response programs for women and girls affected by the earthquake in eastern Afghanistan. In a newly released report, the organization stated that the funding would support a 6- to 12-month project aimed at increasing women’s participation in the response process and improving their access to essential services. The report added: “While the main shocks of the earthquake may have ended, women affected by it will face a prolonged disaster without immediate assistance.” According to the report, the humanitarian assistance plan is being implemented in collaboration with women’s organizations and forms part of the broader Earthquake Response Plan managed by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). UN Women further emphasized that as winter approaches, many women and girls still suffer from a lack of shelter, proper clothing, and basic services. The report also noted that since the first earthquake on August 31 in eastern Afghanistan, women have been included in joint assessment teams to identify their urgent needs—such as shelter, clothing, food, cash, health and protection services, including mental health and psychosocial counseling. UN Women warned that many women are still unable to access assistance, as traditional social norms restrict their mobility and access to aid. It added that, in addition to other challenges, the shortage of female aid workers remains one of the major obstacles. It is worth noting that one month ago, an earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, killing over 2,200 people, injuring 3,640 others, and leaving thousands of families homeless. According to global organizations, women and children suffered the greatest losses in this tragedy. However, according to OCHA, the official figures confirm 1,992 deaths and over 3,600 injuries. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs also stated that the assistance received so far amounts to only 23.7 million USD, which is about 115 million USD short of the actual need.