**UNESCO Reports 2.4 Million Afghan Girls Denied Access to Secondary Education**
In a stark reminder of the ongoing educational crisis in Afghanistan, UNESCO has reported that approximately 2.4 million girls are currently barred from attending secondary schools in the country. This figure represents an increase of 200,000 since the previous year, highlighting a troubling trend that could see the number of girls denied education rise to nearly four million by 2030.
The United Nations cultural agency reiterated its appeal to the Taliban government to lift the restrictions on female education, which have drawn widespread international condemnation. Afghanistan remains the only nation in the world that prohibits girls and women from attending secondary schools and universities, a situation that has led the UN to label the country’s policies as “gender apartheid.”
The restrictions on girls’ education were implemented shortly after the Taliban regained power in August 2021, following the withdrawal of US and allied troops. In March 2022, girls were barred from secondary schools, and by December of the same year, women were also prohibited from attending universities. These measures have had a profound impact on the educational landscape, with many qualified female teachers being removed from the system due to a ban on women teaching boys. UNESCO estimates that this has resulted in a projected shortfall of over 11,000 qualified female teachers by 2030.
The implications of these educational restrictions extend beyond individual students. The UN has noted that the ban exacerbates several existing challenges facing Afghanistan’s education system and economy. Many schools in the country are overcrowded and poorly equipped, with nearly half lacking essential facilities such as water, sanitation, or heating. Additionally, natural disasters have forced the closure of approximately 1,000 schools over the past five years.
At the primary education level, the situation is equally concerning, with more than two million children currently out of school. Alarmingly, a staggering 90% of 10-year-olds in Afghanistan cannot read a simple text, contributing to a national literacy rate that stands at just 37%.
Despite calls from various global entities, including several Muslim-majority countries, the Taliban government has remained steadfast in its refusal to alter its policies regarding girls’ education. Officials have characterized the ban as an internal matter, dismissing international pressure to change.
As the situation continues to develop, the future of education for Afghan girls remains uncertain, with the potential for further declines in access to schooling looming on the horizon. The international community watches closely, hoping for a resolution that will allow Afghan girls the right to education and the opportunity to shape their futures.