Following a U-turn on reopening girls’ secondary schools in Afghanistan on Wednesday, the UN human rights chief expressed her “profound frustration and disappointment” that high school girls have yet to return to the classroom six months after the Taliban took power.
“The de facto authorities’ failure to follow through on commitments to reopen schools for girls above the sixth grade – despite repeated commitments to girls’ education, including during my visit to Kabul two weeks ago – is deeply damaging for Afghanistan,” said High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet in a statement.
Although high schools were set to open their doors to girls across the country, Taliban officials reportedly halted the move early Wednesday, pending a decision on the uniforms they must wear.
“The denial of education violates the human rights of women and girls because, in addition to their equal right to education, it exposes them to more violence, poverty, and exploitation,” Ms. Bachelet explained.
Later in the day, the UN Secretary-General issued a statement in which he expressed his deep regret over the Taliban’s suspension of high school girls’ return to school.
“The start of the new school year has been eagerly anticipated by all students, both boys and girls, as well as parents and families,” António Guterres said. He went on to say that the Taliban’s move, “despite repeated assurances, is a profound disappointment and deeply damaging for Afghanistan.”
Denial of education not only violates women’s and girls’ equal rights to education, but it also jeopardizes the country’s future in light of the enormous contributions made by Afghan women and girls.
“I urge the Taliban’s de facto authorities to open schools for all students as soon as possible.”
Ms. Bachelet recalled a recent trip to Kabul, where women insisted on meeting with the Taliban themselves.
The women told her that they have “information, solutions, and the capability to assist in charting a way out of Afghanistan’s economic, humanitarian, and human rights crisis.”
“They insisted on the equal right to quality education at the primary, secondary, and tertiary levels and were hoping for school reopening today.”
As Afghans suffer the consequences of multiple intersecting crises, a senior UN official described the decision as “grave concern.”
“Disempowering half of Afghanistan’s population is counterproductive and unjust,” Ms. Bachelet said, adding that “structural discrimination like this is also deeply damaging to the country’s prospects for future recovery and development.”
She urged the Taliban to “respect all girls’ educational rights and to open schools for all students without discrimination or further delay.”
According to Ms. Russell, the decision deprives an entire generation of adolescent girls of “the right to an education and the opportunity to gain the skills they need to build their futures.”
She urged the de facto authorities to fulfil their commitment to girls’ education as soon as possible, and she urged community leaders throughout the country to support adolescent girls’ education.
“All children have the right to attend school.” “This is the surest way to put the country on a firmer path toward the peace and prosperity that the Afghan people deserve,” said UNICEF’s director-general.
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