UN: Growing numbers of girls in Afghanistan not allowed to go to school

1.4 million girls are affected by the school ban from grade 7 onwards. “In just three years, the de facto authorities have virtually erased two decades of steady progress in education,” UNESCO criticises.

According to a UNESCO report, at least 1.4 million girls in Afghanistan have been prevented from attending school from grade 7 onwards since the Taliban returned to power three years ago. That’s about 300,000 more than in April 2023, the UN agency said. “Afghanistan is now the only country in the world where girls and women above the age of 12 are denied access to education,” said UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

“The international community must continue to push hard for the unconditional reopening of schools and universities for Afghan girls and women,” she added.

The Taliban promised to improve.

In the past, the Taliban have announced that they will simply suspend the education of older girls until unspecified conditions are met. Public statements by a few senior Taliban members in favor of women’s education have given hope for some time. But so far, nothing has been done. “In just three years, the de facto authorities have virtually erased two decades of steady progress in education in Afghanistan, and the future of an entire generation is now at risk,” the report said.

Banning female teachers in boys' schools

Another problem is the Taliban’s ban on female teachers in boys’ schools. This exacerbates an already existing teacher shortage. Since 2021, the number of students enrolled in universities has also fallen by 53 percent, according to UNESCO. The lack of university graduates will exacerbate development problems in the country of about 40 million people. (APA/DPA)