Afghan Girls Face Dire Educational Crisis as Taliban Restrictions Intensify
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reports that approximately 1.5 million female students in Afghanistan are currently affected by the Taliban’s severe educational restrictions, Khaama Press reported. This alarming situation marks Afghanistan as the only country in the world where girls are outright banned from attending school. UNESCO’s analysis highlights that if these restrictions persist, the number of girls deprived of education could exceed 4 million within the next seven years.
On International Women’s Day, UNESCO emphasized that this regression reverses decades of progress toward women’s rights and education, pushing the nation back into a state of educational deprivation for its female population. The organization noted that these restrictions not only threaten individual futures but also impede Afghanistan’s broader societal and economic development.
The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) has also raised concerns, marking International School Meals Day with a call to action. They highlighted that this is the third consecutive year girls in Afghanistan have been barred from schooling beyond elementary levels. Additionally, the UN has reported a sharp decline in global funding for Afghanistan due to the Taliban’s oppressive policies, particularly regarding women’s rights.
Despite widespread international condemnation, the Taliban have tightened these bans, justifying their actions through a narrow interpretation of Islamic law. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has reported significant disruptions in humanitarian aid distribution due to Taliban interference, complicating relief efforts in an already dire situation.
