Afghanistan Peace CampaignIt has been more than one and a half years since schools have remained closed for girls in grades 7- 12.
The former US special envoy for Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, called on the relevant educational organizations to reopen schools and universities for girls and women in Afghanistan.
The US veteran diplomat, who forged a peace deal with then Taliban’s Political Office in Qatar on February 29, 2020, in a follow-up to his previous tweets responding to the Islamic Emirate leader’s comments, said:
“Now that the theology part is clear, the Kabul government, high school, and university administrators should reopen higher education institutions to girls and women.”
Earlier, Khalilzad responded on Twitter to the Islamic Emirate leader’s statement at an Eid ceremony, saying “my order is valid when it is in accordance with Sharia; if it is opposed to it, then it is not obeyed.”
It has been more than one and a half years since schools have remained closed for girls in grades 7- 12.
TOLOnews’ reached out to several students who said they are “waiting desperately” for their schools and universities to be reopened.
Sara, a student in grade 10, said that the holiday will “make me happy” when schools are reopened.
“It has been more than 600 days that our schools have been closed and this is our right to go to school,” said Sara, a student.
“All of the girls in Afghanistan are ready to continue their education under any circumstance that the interim government imposes. It is enough to just reopen the doors of schools for the girls,” said Fawzia, a student.
Meanwhile, some female students also called on the Islamic Emirate to reopen their universities.
“When education is obligatory for men and women, then why do the doors of the schools and universities for the girls remain closed,” said Mursal, a student.
The closure of schools and universities for female students sparked reactions at the domestic and international level.