UK Minister Condemns Afghanistan’s Ban on Girls’ Education

MP Hamish Falconer, minister for the Middle East, has described Afghanistan as the only country in the world where women and girls are not allowed to receive education in high schools and universities.

The British minister stated that with such an approach, the caretaker government in Afghanistan should not expect support from the international community.

In a video shared on X, Falconer said: ” It is the only country in the world that has banned secondary education for girls. The UK condemns this in the strongest terms as well as the Taliban’s recent decision to ban women from medical education and renewed efforts to ban them from working for NGOs.”

Meanwhile, girls deprived of education in the country have once again called for the reopening of educational institutions.

Roya, who was deprived of higher education in her first year at university, is worried about her future. She has urged the Islamic Emirate to reopen educational doors for female students with the start of the new year.

“It should be clarified whether we can continue our studies somewhere. There was a rumor that schools would reopen, but it didn’t happen. Two months remain until the next year, and the situation is still uncertain,” Roya said.

The US Institute of Peace has also expressed concerns in its latest report about the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan.

“My request to the Islamic Emirate is that sooner or later, you will face a shortage of doctors, which is already a challenge,” said Kayenta, a student.

“I am worried that my family is now considering migrating so that their daughter can pursue education. Why should they leave? Isn’t this our country? Shouldn’t we be living here?” Fatema Khawari, another student, told TOLOnews.

Some political analysts believe that the Islamic Emirate should adopt policies that address the demands of the country’s citizens while also enhancing engagement with the world.

“The Islamic Emirate should transform into a people-centered and merit-based governance system. They should implement a constitution and define their relations with other countries based on it to safeguard Afghanistan’s national interests,” Najib Rahman Shamal, a political affairs expert, stated.

Calls for the resumption of girls’ education in the country come after Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai, the deputy foreign minister for political affairs, recently criticized the ban on girls’ education, saying it is an injustice against 20 million people in the country.