Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) in a statement released on Wednesday stated that the continuation of the Taliban’s restrictions on women’s and girls’ education will have severe psychological effects on Afghanistan children and youth and the general public, causing despair and violence to spread across the country.
This statement came after the Taliban suspended the activities of educational institutions in Kandahar and Helmand provinces.
According to AIHRC, this decision of the Taliban to continue imposing extensive restrictions on the rights to education in the country is considered an obvious violation of the fundamental rights of the citizens.
“Until now, despite the extensive efforts of the national and international community, the Taliban have not removed the restrictions on the education of girls and young women in universities. Continuing these restrictions will harm the psyche of children and youth and the psyche of the general public, causing despair and violence to spread.” AIHRC’s statement read.
AIHRC has called it an “unfair decision” and asked the Taliban not to restrict the rights and interests of the children and youth of the country and not to prevent the implementation of the programs of educational institutions.
The Taliban Ministry of Education has suspended all educational activities in Kandahar and Helmand provinces until “further notice”, citing the need for examining the educational programs and the role of the international institution in this field. The suspension has affected the educational programs of UNICEF, Save the Children, and other NGOs in the provinces.
The Taliban banned girls from secondary schools soon after returning to power in August 2021 and banned them from universities in December 2022. Despite international condemnations and pleas, the Taliban has refused to change or reverse its policies.
