UN Rapporteur Calls Ongoing Ban on Afghan Girls' Education 'Unacceptable'
Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, stated on X that the new school year coincides with Nowruz amid the continued ban preventing girls above the sixth grade from attending school and women from university.
In a message posted on Sunday to mark the solar New Year 1405, Bennett described the restrictions as 'unacceptable' and said they must be lifted. He noted that this marks another school year in which girls above the sixth grade are not allowed to continue their education.
Amu TV reported this as the fourth consecutive year of the ban. The UN Children's Fund has stated that more than 2.2 million girls have been deprived of schooling due to the restrictions.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization said in a recent report that Afghanistan's education system faces unprecedented challenges and that the Taliban's restrictive policies have reversed two decades of progress in the sector.
International organizations have emphasized that depriving girls of education has broad social and economic consequences for Afghan society. Human rights activists have warned that the restrictions could lead to further violations of women's rights, including increased forced marriages, and hinder long-term development.
Citizens in parts of the country celebrated Nowruz despite restrictions, seeking moments away from daily pressures. Students and families expressed sorrow and concern over the school closures for girls, with some saying the end of Eid holidays has turned joy into despair.
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Where reports agree
- Richard Bennett made a statement on X on March 22 (2 Hamal/solar year 1405) about ongoing ban on girls above sixth grade from school and women from university coinciding with Nowruz/new school year
- Restrictions described as unacceptable and must be lifted
- Ongoing since Taliban takeover
Where reports differ
- Amu TV specifies 'fourth consecutive year'; Hasht-e Subh does not quantify
- Amu TV includes citizen celebrations, family/student concerns, activist warnings, UNESCO/UNICEF details; Hasht-e Subh focuses on Bennett and general impacts
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