Afghan women are calling for the reopening of schools and universities, nearly three years after the Taliban took power in 2021. The closure of educational institutions has left many female students in a state of uncertainty about their future.
According to a UN report, 80% of school-age Afghan girls are currently out of school. UNICEF reports that over one million girls have been affected by the ban on women's education.
In 2022, the Taliban imposed a ban on women attending universities. The restrictions extend to secondary education for girls over 10 years old in some areas, such as Kandahar.
The educational restrictions have had economic impacts as well. UNICEF estimates that preventing girls from secondary education has cost the Afghan economy over $500 million in the past 12 months.
International organizations, including the UN General Assembly, have emphasized the need to protect Afghan women's rights, particularly their right to education.
The Taliban maintains that other countries should not interfere in this matter. Meanwhile, Afghan women continue to express their desire for equal educational opportunities.
