Afghanistan Peace CampaignThe ban on girls’ and women’s education in Afghanistan has faced various global criticisms over the past three years.
The first day of the Islamic countries’ conference titled “The International Conference on Girls’ Education in Muslim Communities: Challenges and Opportunities,” concluded today (Saturday) in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.
Shahbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, stated during the conference that restrictions imposed on women and girls deprive them of achieving a bright future.
The Pakistani Prime Minister further added that Pakistan and the Muslim world face significant challenges in ensuring equal education rights for girls. Sharif remarked: “Despite our rich heritage, the Muslim world, including Pakistan, faces significant challenges in ensuring equitable access to education for girls. Denying education to girls amounts to denying their rights and voice and denying them their right to a bright future.”
The conference, initiated by the “Muslim World League,” brought together representatives from Islamic countries, human rights activists, and the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). Participants discussed the role and significance of girls’ education in Islam.
In a statement by the Muslim World League, it was mentioned: “This initiative, led by the Muslim World League (MWL), aims to promote Islamic awareness and implement programs that align with its foundational goals.”
Rahela Pouya, a student, commented on the effectiveness of the discussions at the conference, saying: “Our request from this conference is for the discussions to result in practical outcomes.”
Another student, Lubna, said: “By next year, the Islamic Emirate must reopen schools and universities for girls in Afghanistan.”
Zalmay Khalilzad, the former U.S. Special Envoy for Afghan Peace, referred to the Islamic countries’ conference on girls’ education in Pakistan as a propaganda effort against the caretaker government. He stated that resolving this issue is solely the responsibility of Afghans themselves.
On the sidelines of the conference, the Pakistani Prime Minister met with the Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Secretary-General of Muslim World League to discuss issues related to Afghanistan.
Although the caretaker government was invited to the conference, no representative from it participated.
Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, Pakistan’s Minister of Education, said: “We invited Afghanistan, but no one from the Afghan government attended the conference. Nevertheless, representatives from various organizations working in the field of girls’ education in Afghanistan participated in the event.”
Janat Faheem Chakari, a political analyst, said: “Any conference about Afghanistan held in neighboring, regional, or global countries should ideally include a representative from the Islamic Emirate to defend its position and provide proper responses.”
The ban on girls’ and women’s education in Afghanistan has faced various global criticisms over the past three years.