UNICEF Urges Reopening of Girls' Schools in Afghanistan
UNICEF on Thursday urged Afghanistan to reopen schools for girls, stating that prolonged education restrictions are harming their future, dignity and the country's development.
UNICEF's regional director for South Asia, Sanjay Wijesekera, wrote on X that "it is time for school doors to reopen because hope, dignity and the future begin with education." He said girls in Afghanistan have waited far too long and that the return of school should bring hope to everyone.
UNICEF has repeatedly stressed that education is a basic right and a foundation for children's future and society's long-term development. International organizations have warned that prolonged exclusion from education could have lasting effects on girls' health, safety and future employment opportunities.
The appeal comes amid Afghanistan's deep humanitarian crisis, with millions dependent on aid, rising poverty and widespread uncertainty over the country's future.
Since the Taliban returned to power, girls have been barred from secondary schools and universities, leaving a generation of young women cut off from formal education. The restrictions have extended beyond classrooms, with many women facing limits on employment in public institutions, NGOs and other sectors, worsening household hardship.
Aid groups say the combined impact of school, university and job restrictions has harmed women's rights and weakened Afghanistan's social and economic recovery.
UNICEF's call adds to growing international pressure on the Taliban, though many Afghan girls continue to wait for education and opportunity with no clear end in sight.
Know more about this story?
If you have additional information or believe something is inaccurate, let us know. Your tips help us stay accurate.
Where reports agree
- UNICEF, via named official Sanjay Wijesekera, called for reopening girls' schools in Afghanistan
- Ongoing Taliban restrictions bar girls from secondary education and universities
- Restrictions impact women's employment and Afghanistan's recovery
More in Society
International Olympic Committee Bars Transgender Women from Female Events at Olympics
Maulvi Abdul Salam Hanafi Stresses Teaching as Islamic, Moral and National Responsibility
Afghan and Spanish Women Protest in Brussels Calling for EU Action on Women's Rights in Afghanistan
Around 40,000 New Students Expected to Enroll in Ghazni Schools This Academic Year
ReliableInternational Olympic Committee Bars Transgender Women from Female Events at Olympics
The International Olympic Committee has barred transgender women from competing in female events at the Olympics starting with the 2028 Los Angeles Games and introduced mandatory gene testing to limit the female category to biological females. The policy also affects athletes with differences in sex development such as Caster Semenya due to advantages from male puberty.
ReliableMaulvi Abdul Salam Hanafi Stresses Teaching as Islamic, Moral and National Responsibility
Maulvi Abdul Salam Hanafi, Administrative Deputy of the Prime Minister's Office, spoke at the opening of the new academic year, describing teaching as an Islamic, moral and national responsibility rather than merely a job. He urged parents, teachers and students to prioritize education while reaffirming the Islamic Emirate's commitment to quality educational services nationwide.
ReliableAfghan and Spanish Women Protest in Brussels Calling for EU Action on Women's Rights in Afghanistan
Afghan and Spanish women protested in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, urging the EU to take action on women's rights violations in Afghanistan as schools reopened without girls above sixth grade.
ReliableAround 40,000 New Students Expected to Enroll in Ghazni Schools This Academic Year
Around 40,000 new students are expected to enroll in Ghazni province schools this academic year, according to officials, despite shortages of teachers and textbooks. Students, teachers and parents have raised concerns about education quality, including unqualified instructors, outdated materials and inadequate facilities.