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KABUL – In a much-needed move, the United Nations has included the issue of Afghan women and children’s rights on the agenda of the General Assembly. This development was announced on Monday.
Reported by The Associated Press, the decision highlights a concerning situation in Afghanistan. Even two years after the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) imposed a ban on girls attending school beyond the sixth grade, Afghanistan remains the only country in the world with such restrictions on female education.
The UN children’s agency has reported that over 1 million girls are directly affected by this ban. However, it’s worth noting that an estimated 5 million girls were already out of school before the IEA took control, mainly due to a lack of educational facilities and various other reasons.
This ban has sparked widespread global condemnation and remains a significant obstacle for the IEA in gaining recognition as the legitimate governing body of Afghanistan, as reported by the AP.
Roza Otunbayeva, who serves as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ special representative for Afghanistan, pointed out one of the clear consequences of this education ban. She expressed concerns about the lack of training for future healthcare professionals in Afghanistan, stating, “Looking into the future and considering a scenario where nothing changes, where will the female doctors, midwives, gynecologists, or nurses come from? In a strictly gender-segregated society, how will Afghan women access even the most basic healthcare services if there are no female professionals to treat them?”
It’s important to note that the IEA has stated its commitment to upholding the rights of women and girls in accordance with Sharia law. However, the international community continues to closely monitor the situation and advocate for the rights and education of Afghan women and children.
