Afghan Women Initiate Educational Campaign Against Taliban's 'Ignorant' Ban
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Synopsis
On March 24, Afghan women activists launched the 'Let's Study' campaign to challenge the Taliban's ban on girls' education. The campaign highlights the denial of education for over 400,000 girls and calls for international support to fight against systemic oppression.
Key Takeaways
- Afghan women activists launch 'Let's Study' campaign.
- 400,000 girls deprived of education in Afghanistan.
- International community urged to support Afghan women's rights.
- EU emphasizes education's role in Afghanistan's future.
- UNICEF warns of catastrophic consequences of education ban.
Kabul, March 24 (NationPress) After four years during which girls have been denied education in Afghanistan, a group of female activists has initiated a campaign named 'Let's Study' to celebrate the beginning of the new academic year and denounce the Talibani regulations.
In an online announcement, the activists revealed that with the commencement of the new school year, an additional 400,000 girls have been denied educational opportunities as the Taliban continues to restrict Afghan girls from accessing secondary and higher education.
The campaign, organized by advocates for women's rights in the South Asian country, also called upon the international community to back Afghan women in their quest for educational access against the ignorant terrorist group that is the Taliban.
The activists expressed that they no longer hold any hope in the de facto authorities, who are perpetuating systemic oppression of women and violations of human rights.
Reiterating the European Union's (EU) commitment to Afghan women's educational rights, EU representatives in Afghanistan underscored the vital role of women and girls in determining the nation's future.
"Education For All is essential for Afghanistan's long-term resilience and prosperity. Educated women, equipped with their invaluable skills and knowledge, are the builders of a stronger, more stable, and economically independent nation. The EU stands behind their right to education!" the EU delegation in Afghanistan posted on X.
This announcement came after the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) on Saturday urged that all girls in the Islamic nation must be permitted to return to school as the new academic year commences.
The agency warned that if this ban continues until 2030, over four million girls will have been deprived of their right to education beyond primary school.
"The consequences for these girls -- and for Afghanistan -- are catastrophic. The ban adversely impacts the health system, the economy, and the future of the country. With fewer girls receiving education, they face a higher risk of child marriage, leading to negative repercussions on their well-being and health," stated UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell.
"We will persist in advocating for the right of every Afghan girl to attain an education, and we urge the de facto authorities to revoke this ban immediately. Education is not merely a fundamental right; it is the pathway to a healthier, more stable, and prosperous society," she added.
Afghanistan is unique as the only nation globally where secondary and higher education is strictly prohibited for girls and women.
According to UNESCO data released in 2024, 1.4 million girls in the Taliban-ruled nation have been systematically denied an education. Access to primary education has also drastically decreased, with 1.1 million fewer girls and boys attending school.
