Hamid Karzai Calls for Schools and Universities to Reopen to Girls

Hamid Karzai, Afghanistan’s former president, has called for schools and universities to reopen to girls on the occasion of International Girls Day, saying the closure of education is an obstacle to the country’s development.

In a message on Sunday, 19 Mizan, he said empowering girls is essential for Afghanistan’s growth and development, and that the country must focus on this issue to achieve progress.

According to Karzai, this goal will be possible when girls have access to all educational opportunities. He also called on society not to overlook the empowerment of girls alongside boys, and stressed the need to create conditions for women and girls to take part in the country’s progress.

After the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in August 2021, school gates were closed to girls above grade six, and women were also barred from continuing their education at universities. That restriction remains in place.