Khalilzad urges Islamic Emirate to reopen schools and universities to girls on International Women's Day

On International Women's Day, Zalmay Khalilzad, former U.S. special representative for Afghanistan peace, called on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to allow girls and women to return to schools and universities. Khalilzad made the appeal in a message posted on X.

Separately, former Afghan President Hamid Karzai urged Taliban authorities to create conditions enabling women to return to work and public life, stressing that reopening schools and universities for girls is an urgent necessity for national development. Karzai highlighted Afghan women's historical contributions and said achieving societal needs and long-term progress requires their participation in education, economy and social sectors. He posted the message on X.

The UN Women agency in Afghanistan also issued a statement on X, spotlighting challenges facing women and girls, noting that public spaces once uniting communities are now closed to them and should not be normalized. It added that meaningful change remains possible when the international community stands with Afghan women.

Education for girls above the sixth grade and women's access to universities remain restricted in Afghanistan, policies that have raised concerns among international organizations and human rights groups. The Islamic Emirate states that women's rights are fully provided and efforts are underway to reopen schools.