Afghanistan Peace CampaignThey called on the “Taliban to immediately reverse the effective ban on girls’ secondary education in Afghanistan.”
The Group of Friends of Women in Afghanistan, with representatives from 27 countries, expressed deep concern regarding the increasing “erosion of respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls in Afghanistan by the Taliban,” including limiting access to education for women and girls.
They called on the “Taliban to immediately reverse the effective ban on girls’ secondary education in Afghanistan.”
The members of the Group urged the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) to continue to closely monitor and report on the situation.
They also “request the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to continue to engage with all relevant Afghan political actors and stakeholders, including relevant authorities, on this issue, in accordance with the mandate of UNAMA.”
The schools for girls’ students above grade six have remained closed for more than one year and there has yet to be a final decision in this regard.
The students have repeatedly voiced concerns over their uncertain future.
“We request they fulfill their promises and reopen the girls schools beyond grade six,” a student said.
“The only ambition that we have is the reopening of girls’ schools. With every night’s end and when morning comes, I think that they will now tell us to come to your school,” a student said.
The Islamic Emirate has yet to comment on the statement of the Group of Friends of Women in Afghanistan but earlier argued that human rights are ensured in Afghanistan.
“One day of closed schools will have massive historic and intellectual effects. I believe Afghan women have the ability in many areas, so not only schools will be reopened but also work opportunities should also be provided for them,” said Najibullah Jami, a political analyst.
The Group of Friends of Women in Afghanistan emphasized findings by the World Economic Forum that banning women from working in the government and formal sectors will cause Afghanistan’s GDP to contract by a minimum of $600 million in the immediate term and restrictions on women’s private sector employment could lead to a $1.5 billion loss of output by 2024.