Taliban reconsiders sending Girls to High School 

The Taliban government in Afghanistan has barred girls above grade 6 from attending schools, breaking a commitment made to the United Nations. 

The Taliban-run Education Ministry of Afghanistan announced earlier this week that they have decided to open schooling for all students. It seems clear that in Afghanistan, girls will also be able to enjoy their right to education. 

However, yesterday morning, the Taliban withdrew its decision to send girls above 6th grade to school. Just hours after the Taliban decided to reopen schooling for young girls, they crushed their hope of acquiring the right to education.

While disappointing to many students in Afghanistan, the international community is upset about the condition of women in Afghanistan. 

The international community made it very clear to the Taliban that international aid entirely depends on the Taliban’s policy making. The laws and policies must ensure special rights are given to women and children. 

The Taliban deprived female students of high school education. 

A government news agency reported, “Schools for girls would be closed until a plan was drawn up in accordance with Islamic law and Afghan culture.” 

The official notice from the state said, “We inform all girls’ high schools and those schools that have female students above class six that they are off until the next order.” 

The Taliban spokesman, Inamullah Samangani, confirmed the news to one of the reporters for AFP. On another question, he said that they can’t say anything else about this. 

Shukriya Barakzai, an Afghan politician and journalist based in London, expressed her disappointment that girls who had been looking forward to this day were forced to return to school. It shows the reliability and responsiveness of the Taliban, and that they cannot keep their promises. 

The Taliban regime has continued the restrictions on the education of girls in Afghanistan since it took control over the region. The Ministry of Education last week confirmed the reopening of schools for all students, including girls, on Wednesday. Further, on Tuesday, one of the ministry spokespersons released a video in which he congratulated all students on their return to schools. 

According to reports, when the schools reopened, a teacher entered the classrooms filled with female students and announced that the class was over. Students that came back to school with high hopes started packing their bags tearfully.

One of the teachers said, “I see my students crying and am reluctant to leave classes. It is very painful to see your students crying. We were all disappointed, and we all became totally hopeless when the principal told us she was also crying. 

Female Rights in Afghanistan 

In 1996–2001, when the Taliban came to power for the last time, it ruled out all the rights given to women. It banned female education and female employment. However, during its next reign in August, it promised to provide girls’ education and employment. 

The authorities in Afghanistan blame the lack of teaching staff in schools. When the Taliban took over, thousands of people fled the region. This led to a shortage of teaching staff in the schools of Afghanistan. 

Last year, when the regime took over, the schools were closed due to the COVID outbreak. But 2 months later, only boys and very young girls were allowed to attend the classes. The Taliban showed an interest in providing education for girls between 12 and 19 years of age, but would operate according to Islamic principles. 

Further, the Taliban has imposed several sanctions on women in Afghanistan. These sanctions violate the basic human right to freedom. Afghani women are banned from working in many government jobs. This policy is implemented because of what they wear and also prevents them from travelling due to work outside their cities alone. 

There still remains a sense of doubt, even after the Taliban lifted all the restrictions on girls’ education. It will still be a while before families in Afghanistan accept these changes, and it’s possible for them to keep their daughters from going to school. Some of the human activists in Afghanistan said, “Those girls who have completed their education are about 20 years old. Their future is uncertain. They are still sitting idly at their home. “ 

Published By : Revathy G Sanal

Edited By : Subbuthai Padma