Despite promises, girls again barred from schools in Afghanistan

Robert Besser
24 Mar 2023, 23:04 GMT+10

Afghanistan's education ministry announced that the country's school year has begun, but UNICEF renewed calls for teenage girls to be able to attend classes
After claiming they would open schools for all students last year, Taliban authorities made a U-Turn and banned girls from attending classes
Afghan primary schools for girls have stayed open, but for the most part high schools have been closed

KABUL, Afghanistan: Afghanistan's education ministry has announced that the country's school year has begun, but the United Nations children's agency, UNICEF, renewed calls for teenage girls to be able to attend classes.

After claiming they would open schools for all students last year, Taliban authorities made a U-Turn and banned girls from attending classes, causing global condemnation that has hampered the Islamist group's efforts to gain international recognition.

Afghan primary schools for girls have stayed open, but for the most part high schools have been closed.

In December, the Taliban banned female students from attending university, causing an international outcry and protests in some Afghan cities.

"As the new school year in Afghanistan begins, we rejoice in the millions of boys and girls returning to primary school classrooms. Yet, we are deeply disappointed not to see adolescent girls going back to their classrooms, as well," tweeted Fran Equiza, UNICEF's Afghanistan representative.

As a result of the Taliban ban, enrollment at female religious schools, the only remaining option for girls, has increased over the past year.

In the capital, Kabul, school openings appeared limited during Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which is widely celebrated in Afghanistan and had previously been a public holiday.

In 2022, Taliban authorities said they would not recognize Nowruz as a public holiday, but they did not prevent people from celebrating in private.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Irish Sun.

More Information

3 ℃

Fair in Dublin

International

Section

China wants Hong Kong consulates to give personal data of local staff

HONG KONG: The Chinese Foreign Ministry has issued a request to all foreign consulates in Hong Kong, seeking the personal ...

Rattlesnake bites Amazon driver in Florida during delivery

MARTIN COUNTY, Florida: An Amazon driver making a delivery to a Florida home this week was bitten by a rattlesnake ...

Canada's TMX expansion may triple oil flow to country's Pacific Coast

CALGARY, Canada: From early 2024, the long-delayed and controversial Canadian government-owned Trans Mountain oil pipeline expansion (TMX) is expected to ...

Pakistan's Supreme Court proceedings go live on state TV

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan's Supreme Court proceedings were broadcast live on state television on Monday, providing an unprecedented glimpse into the ...

9 teenagers caught after escaping from Pennsylvania detention center

MORGANTOWN, Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania state police said that nine teenage boys who escaped from the Abraxas Academy detention center this week ...

3,000 homeless in Anchorage looking for a place to stay before winter

ANCHORAGE, Alaska: Anchorage is struggling to find housing options for more than 3,000 homeless residents, as the city's mass shelter ...

Europe

Section