UNICEF says 2.6 million Afghan girls remain barred from education
The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said the continued denial of education to girls in Afghanistan has kept more than 2.6 million girls out of secondary education over the past five years and has left wide-ranging consequences for families and the country’s future.
In a post on X on Thursday, Sept. 17, UNICEF said Afghanistan is the only country in the world where secondary and higher education is banned for girls and women. The agency called on the Taliban administration to lift these restrictions and allow girls and women to return immediately to schools and universities.
The organisation said barring girls from education does not only affect their lives, but also has a negative impact on children, families and Afghanistan’s future. According to UNICEF, the continuation of this situation could have long-term social and educational consequences.
After returning to power in 2021, the Taliban administration stopped education for girls above sixth grade and later also barred women from attending university. These restrictions have continued despite repeated calls from international organisations, which have described education as a fundamental right for girls and women and urged that the bans be lifted.
UNICEF has previously also called on multiple occasions for schools and universities in Afghanistan to be reopened to girls and women. The agency is one of the main United Nations organisations working on child protection and access to education in vulnerable countries.
