Afghanistan declared Aug 15 as public holiday

KABUL (Khaama Press): The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of Afghanistan has declared August 15 as a public holiday, marking it as the “Victory of the Afghanistan Jihad against Occupation.”

In a statement released, the ministry stated that this day has been declared a nationwide holiday in Afghanistan by order of Hibatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Taliban.

August 15, 2021, corresponds to the day when the Taliban regained power, leading to the fleeing of President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani from Kabul, the withdrawal of US forces, and the end of NATO’s twenty-year mission in Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has also declared this day a public holiday in the past two years.

However, the return of the Taliban to power has been accompanied by widespread human rights violations, particularly concerning women’s rights.

The ban on education for girls beyond the sixth grade has led to an increase in child marriages and forced marriages, as families struggle with poverty and see no future for their daughters in a country where education is restricted.

Reports from various human rights organizations highlight the dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, exacerbated by growing poverty and unemployment.

The lack of economic opportunities and the ongoing restrictions on basic freedoms have plunged millions into poverty, forcing many to marry off their young daughters as a means of survival.

The deteriorating situation has also led to a significant increase in migration, as Afghans seek refuge in other countries to escape the harsh conditions.

The combination of economic hardship, human rights abuses, and lack of educational opportunities has driven thousands to leave their homeland in search of a better future.

The international community continues to express concern over the worsening conditions in Afghanistan and the implications for regional stability.