Giving Afghan Girls the Education They Demand
A Call to Action
Afghanistan, once one of the world’s poorest countries, has seen its condition worsen since the Taliban’s return to power. The country is facing a humanitarian crisis, with millions of Afghans struggling to access basic necessities, and the economy on the brink of collapse.
The Taliban’s War on Education
The Taliban’s religious leadership has implemented an “institutionalised system of gender-based oppression,” severely restricting girls’ and women’s freedom of movement, expression, and association. They are prohibited from nearly all forms of employment and are curtailed in their access to justice. The most egregious violation is the ban on girls’ attendance at secondary schools, which is having a devastating impact on an entire generation of girls and the country’s future.
Avoidable Consequences
Excluding Afghan girls and women from education is not only a human rights violation but also short-sighted. Their potential could be harnessed to rebuild the country. Unfortunately, the lack of prospects for their daughters puts additional pressure on crisis-stricken families, leading to a 25% increase in child marriage and early pregnancy. These children will be born to illiterate mothers, which is not in Afghanistan’s long-term interest.
Afghan Culture and Islam
Afghanistan is the only Muslim country to prohibit girls and women from attending school. In fact, education for all is a fundamental principle in Islam. As UN deputy secretary-general Amina J Mohammed reminded us, Prophet Muhammad said “seeking knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim,” including both men and women, boys and girls.
A Call to Action
Education Cannot Wait, an organisation delivering education and remote-learning services in Afghanistan, is struggling to keep up with demand. The powerful testimonies of Afghan girls affected by the ban, shared as part of the #AfghanGirlsVoices campaign, demonstrate their desire to study. It is crucial to provide Afghan girls and women with access to education while continuing to call for an end to human rights violations.
Scaling Up Efforts
We must scale up efforts to provide Afghan girls and women with access to education while continuing to call for an end to human rights violations. UN agencies and civil-society organisations should work together to expand non-formal schooling in Afghanistan. Public- and private-sector donors must urgently increase funding for education providers on the ground, so they can meet the overwhelming demand for community-based learning.
Conclusion
There is no time to waste. An entire generation of girls is at risk of missing out on an education. And an entire country’s future is being jeopardised by edicts with no basis in Islam. We must act now to provide Afghan girls and women with the education they demand and deserve.
FAQs
Q: What is the current situation in Afghanistan?
A: Afghanistan is facing a humanitarian crisis, with millions of people struggling to access basic necessities, and the economy on the brink of collapse.
Q: What is the Taliban’s stance on education?
A: The Taliban has banned girls’ attendance at secondary schools and restricted girls’ and women’s freedom of movement, expression, and association.
Q: What is Education Cannot Wait doing to help?
A: Education Cannot Wait is delivering education and remote-learning services in Afghanistan and is working to scale up efforts to provide Afghan girls and women with access to education.
Q: How can I help?
A: You can help by supporting organisations like Education Cannot Wait and by advocating for an end to human rights violations in Afghanistan.