Edem Wosornu, director of OCHA’s Operations and Advocacy Division, recently spoke about the deprivation of 1.4 million girls from education in Afghanistan. During a press conference in New York, Wosornu emphasized the urgency of lifting the restrictions against women imposed by the interim government authorities.
Authorities Request More Time
Kabul 24: Wosornu stated that during her four-day visit to Afghanistan, she requested that the interim government authorities lift the restrictions. The authorities repeated the message that they need more time, to which Wosornu responded, “we don’t have time because the numbers speak for themselves.
I was also very clear that the more we wait, the more millions of children will be affected and the more it will impact the society.”
Personal Accounts of Suffering
Atifa, who was prevented from attending university, shared her heartbreaking experience. “This is very painful. I have a younger sister who is in sixth grade this year and she asks me what to do, as she will not be able to go to school next year. It is very painful, I can’t even imagine,” she told TOLOnews.
Decrees Restricting Girls’ Education
The Islamic Emirate issued two separate decrees on September 17 and December 20, 2022, ordering the closure of all secondary and high schools for girls and all public and private universities to women and girls until further notice.
These decrees have deprived millions of Afghan girls of their fundamental right to education.
International Community’s Response
The international community has strongly condemned the Taliban’s decision to restrict girls’ access to education. Many countries and organizations have called for immediate action to ensure that all Afghan girls can return to school and continue their education without fear of discrimination or violence.
Conclusion
The deprivation of 1.4 million Afghan girls from education is a grave human rights violation that must be addressed urgently. The international community must continue to pressure the Taliban to lift the restrictions and ensure that all Afghan children, regardless of gender, have access to quality education.
The future of Afghanistan depends on the education and empowerment of its youth, and denying girls their right to learn is a disservice to the entire nation.
