The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) is concerned about the impact on girls’ learning from the decision to ban schooling for females over the sixth grade, a senior UNICEF official said.
Same Mort, chief of Communication, Advocacy and Civic Engagement in Afghanistan, said the closing of schools will affect the mental health of the female students.
“One month since the new term started for some children but not all children in Afghanistan, UNICEF is deeply concerned by the impact of this decision on girls learning–on their mental health and on their ability to contribute to the Afghan economy into the future,” she said.
Mort said the UNICEF is supporting education in Afghanistan.
“When girls are out of school, they are much more susceptible to early marriage and child labor. They are much more likely to be victims of exploitation and abuse, that is why UNICEF continues to advocate to get all children into school and learning at all levels in all regions,” she said.
Meanwhile, Shamayil Tawana, a female rights activist, urged the Islamic Emirate to reopen schools for girls beyond grade six.
“All Afghans demanded the Taliban reopen the schools and not deprive Afghan girls from their Sharia rights,” she said.
The Ministry of Education said that the reopening of school for girls is an important issue for the Islamic Emirate.
“This issue is important for the Islamic Emirate as much as it is important for the international community. The meetings are underway about this,” said Aziz Ahmad Riyan, a spokesman for the ministry.
The closure of schools for girls above grade six triggered reactions at the national and international levela. However, officials of the current government said the problem will be solved soon.
