Afghanistan Peace CampaignNuala Ní Mhuircheartaig said that denying women and girls access to education would have serious consequences for Afghanistan’s future.
Ireland’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations has expressed concern over the educational restrictions imposed on girls during a meeting on the situation of Afghan youth.
Nuala Ní Mhuircheartaig said that denying women and girls access to education would have serious consequences for Afghanistan’s future.
She added that since August 2021, Afghan youth have experienced profound political, economic, and social changes that have limited their access to education and livelihood opportunities and reduced their participation in public life.
Nuala Ní Mhuircheartaig, Ireland’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said: “Millions of girls have also been deprived of their fundamental right to education as a result of a series of increasing restrictions, including the continued ban on secondary and higher education for girls. From Ireland’s perspective, denying women and girls access to education and excluding them from public life constitutes a clear and serious violation of fundamental rights and freedoms.”
Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, has called on the international community to support Afghan youth by providing educational scholarships, online learning, vocational training, and employment opportunities.
He also stressed that the international community must prioritize human rights in its engagement with the ruling authorities and work toward reopening schools and universities and ensuring girls’ right to education.
Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, said: “Provide opportunities for young people inside Afghanistan and ensure that Afghan youth, particularly young women and members of marginalized communities, are meaningfully included in international discussions and decision-making about Afghanistan’s future.”
Meanwhile, several Afghan schoolgirls have also called for the reopening of all schools and universities to girls and women.
Sana, a student, said: “My request to the Islamic Emirate is to reopen schools so that we can continue our education and move toward success.”
Tafsir Siahposh, a women’s rights activist, said: “Young women in Afghanistan face restrictions and feel hopeless, while young men are leaving the country. As you can see, young people are being ignored, and these meetings have not been effective for us.”
The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has previously described such meetings, held without its representatives, as ineffective for the Afghan people. It has also maintained that education is an internal matter and emphasized that countries and international organizations should not interfere in Afghanistan’s domestic affairs.