UNICEF Calls on Taliban to Lift Ban on Girls’ Education as Afghan School Year Begins

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has urged Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration to lift the ban on girls’ secondary education as the country’s new school year begins without them for the third consecutive year.

In a statement on Saturday, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell emphasized the urgency of allowing Afghan girls to return to school. “For over three years, the rights of girls in Afghanistan have been violated. All girls must be allowed to return to school now. If these capable, bright young girls continue to be denied an education, then the repercussions will last for generations,” she said.

Since August 2021, when the Taliban returned to power following the withdrawal of foreign forces and the collapse of the US-backed Kabul administration, girls above the sixth grade have been barred from attending school. Despite repeated calls from international organizations, the ban remains in place, affecting millions of young girls across the country.

According to UNICEF, if the restrictions continue, over four million Afghan girls will be deprived of education beyond primary school by 2030. The agency warned that the ban could have long-term consequences, not only for the affected girls but also for Afghanistan’s future.

“The ban negatively impacts the health system, the economy, and the future of the nation. With fewer girls receiving an education, girls face a higher risk of child marriage, which has serious consequences for their well-being and health,” the statement read.

UNICEF also highlighted the impact on the country’s healthcare system, warning that without educated female healthcare professionals, Afghan women and girls will struggle to access essential medical care. The agency estimated that this lack of healthcare support could result in an additional 1,600 maternal deaths and over 3,500 infant deaths.

Despite the challenges, UNICEF noted that it has managed to provide access to education for 445,000 children through community-based learning programs, with girls making up 64% of the students enrolled. However, the agency stressed that these efforts are not enough and called on the Taliban to immediately reverse the ban.

“We urge the de facto authorities to lift this ban immediately. Education is not just a fundamental right; it is the pathway to a healthier, more stable, and prosperous society,” UNICEF stated.

The international community has repeatedly condemned the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s rights, including bans on higher education, employment opportunities, and freedom of movement. However, the group has so far resisted international pressure, insisting that their policies align with their interpretation of Islamic law.

As another school year begins without secondary education for Afghan girls, concerns grow over the long-term impact on the country’s development and the future of millions of young women.