Former Afghan President Calls for Return of Girls to Schools on World Science Day

Hamid Karzai, the former President of Afghanistan, emphasized the necessity of universal education for achieving self-sufficiency and addressing pressing issues in the country, reiterating his call for the reopening of schools and universities to girls on the occasion of World Science Day for Peace and Development.

Call for Lifting the Ban on Girls’ Education

On November 10, which is recognized by UNESCO as World Science Day for Peace and Development, Karzai expressed his hope that the doors of schools beyond sixth grade and universities would soon reopen to girls. He urged Afghan youth to seize every opportunity available for acquiring knowledge and education.

Since regaining power, the Taliban have completely barred girls from attending secondary schools and universities. This decision has been met with widespread backlash from both the Afghan populace and the international community, yet the Taliban have shown little regard for these criticisms.

Severe Consequences of Educational Deprivation

Meanwhile, UNICEF has previously reported that by the end of this year, over 2.2 million girls in Afghanistan are expected to be denied their right to education. This international organization has noted that the confinement of millions of Afghan girls at home has had widespread negative effects on society. UNICEF highlighted that it is documenting an increase in mental health issues, early marriages, and high birth rates as a result of the educational ban, illustrating the humanitarian crisis stemming from this prohibition.