Taliban closes the NGO-based education institutes which provide education to girls mostly
Credit: The New Indian Express
In a move that has sparked outrage and concern, the Taliban has closed down all education centers for girls in southern Afghanistan. This decision will deprive thousands of young girls of their right to education and marks a significant setback for the country’s progress towards gender equality.
The authorities said they are closing the education centers which are supported by non-government groups, while they review their activities the institutes will be closed till further notice. Those centers are for girls who are banned from going to school after 6th grade.
The Taliban has justified the closures by stating that they are in line with their interpretation of Islamic law. They have also stated that they will only allow boys to attend schools where female teachers are not present, and that girls over the age of 12 will not be allowed to attend school at all.
In the south of Taliban provinces of Helmand and Kandahar the institutes are shut down.“The decision was made after people’s complaints,” said Ahmad, without providing further details. Mutawakil Ahmad a spokesman for the Kandahar education department.
These NGOs are active in nine districts, with around 650 classes with both boys and girls students, 20 to 30 students in each class, said one source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media.
Most of the NGOs are UNICEF projects, working with local NGOs. The United States has also expressed concern and called on the Taliban to respect the rights of all Afghans, including women and girls.
There are also concerns about the impact that the closures will have on the broader community. Many families in southern Afghanistan rely on the income generated by female teachers and other staff at the education centers. Without this income, these families will struggle to make ends meet and may be forced to make difficult decisions about their children’s education and future.
The Taliban has a history of enforcing strict gender segregation and limiting women’s rights. Many fear that the closures of education centers for girls in southern Afghanistan may be just the beginning of a wider crackdown on women’s rights and freedoms. Women and girls in other parts of the country are also reporting that they are being forced to wear burqas and that they are being prevented from leaving their homes without a male escort.
The situation in Afghanistan remains extremely complex and volatile, with the Taliban in control of large parts of the country. The international community has called for a peaceful and negotiated solution to the conflict, but the Taliban has so far refused to engage in any meaningful talks.
As the situation in Afghanistan continues to evolve, it is essential that the rights and freedoms of all Afghans, including women and girls, are protected and respected. Education is a fundamental right, and the international community must continue to push for the right of all Afghan children, regardless of gender, to receive a quality education.
ALSO, READ: https://tdznkwjt9mxt6p1p8657.cleaver.live/dead-toll-increases-to-100-in-sudan-as-the-clash/
The closure of education centers for girls in southern Afghanistan is a significant setback for the country’s progress towards gender equality. It is a violation of the basic rights of thousands of young girls and threatens to have a devastating impact on their future and that of the broader community. The international community must continue to push for the right of all Afghan children to receive an education and must work to ensure that the rights and freedoms of all Afghans are protected and respected.
