Two years since Islamic Emirate takeover, girls call to reopen schools

KABUL (TOLOnews): Some students asked the current government to lift restrictions on women’s education on the eve of the Islamic Emirate’s two-year rule.
The girls said that the country’s educational system would be harmed if schools and universities were to remain closed.
Tayeba, a 20-year-old athlete who has won several medals, said that women’s participation in society and attendance at universities are vital needs.
“I had achievements in this field –and now we are banned and it is very disappointing for me and all Afghan girls,” Tayeba said.
“I feel bad and hopeless and see the future of my country as dark. I ask the Islamic Emirate to open schools,” Raihana, a student said.
The associate director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, Heather Barr, expressed her concerns about continued bans on women and girls in Afghanistan, saying “Now, at this two-year point, we really don’t know how much worse things could get, and what other plans they have for the future for further restricting the lives of women and girls.”
“As we mark two years since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan, we are also unfortunately mourning two years during which girls have been banned from attending secondary education, and we know of course that the ban was extended to higher education in December of 2022. What this means is that we now have two years of girls who should have graduated from high school, girls who should have entered training programs to become a doctor, nurse, midwife, or a teacher, not entering those programs,” she said.
According to some professors and campaigners for women’s rights, the exclusion of women from the workforce and education would exacerbate the problems in the nation.
“Afghan women should have their role in Jihad Akbar, which includes acquiring science and knowledge, as well as Afghanistan’s economic and political issues,” Suraya Paikan, a women’s rights activist told TOLOnews.
“When Islam and the prophet have said that one should seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave, why are the schools closed to girls?” said Ghafor Merzayee, a teacher.
Previously, the Islamic Emirate said that this is not a permanent issue and they are trying to reopen schools for girls as soon as possible.