UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, has once again criticized the continued ban on girls’ education in Afghanistan, warning that the situation is putting an entire generation at risk.
In a message published on its official X account, UNICEF stated that since 2021, following the imposition of restrictions on girls’ education, Afghanistan’s education sector has been facing a serious crisis.
UNICEF further emphasized that due to the caretaker government’s policies that have kept schools closed, more than 2.2 million girls have been deprived of access to education.
The UN Children’s Fund added that education is a fundamental right of every child; however, in Afghanistan this right has been taken away from half of society.
UNICEF also noted that while girls’ education beyond the sixth grade remains banned, enrollment rates for boys in schools have also declined.
It should be noted that after taking control of Afghanistan, the current authorities have barred women and girls from education and learning. In their latest restriction, they have also closed the doors of medical institutes to girls and women, despite the country’s health sector facing a severe shortage of personnel.
These actions by the current authorities have resulted in millions of school-aged girls being denied education.
In addition, women have been banned from going to sports clubs, restaurants, and public bathhouses; from being examined by male doctors; from traveling without a male guardian (mahram); and from working in domestic and international non-governmental organizations, as well as even in United Nations offices in Afghanistan.
