As the International Day of the Girl Child is being celebrated around the world, millions of Afghan girls have been facing severe challenges, including the closure of their schools above grade six.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Twitter that he is “extremely concerned by the continued exclusion of girls from school in Afghanistan.”
“This is deeply damaging to girls themselves and to a country that desperately needs their energy and contributions,” Guterres said, calling on the Islamic Emirate to “let girls learn.”
Thousands of girls work as venders on the streets of Kabul due to poverty.
Nazdana, a street vendor, said she is working as a vendor to make ends meet for her family of eight.
“We are eight people. My father is jobless,” she said.
At a corner of Kabul, many other young girls are working as vendors.
“I sell water and make 50 to 60 Afs,” said a young girl.
“I have a lot of responsibility. I also study and work,” said Kamila, a street vendor.
Meanwhile, the deputy Minister of Public Works, Makhdom Abdul Salam Sadat, said there are plans to distribute assistance provided by aid organizations to the children.
“There are some organizations, including UNICEF and others, who are ready to cooperate in addressing the challenges of children,” he said.
