Kabul - Tarz Press: As the world observes International Students’ Day on November 17, Afghan girls remain deprived of their most basic right—education—under the Taliban regime. This denial, now stretching over 1,156 days, has deeply affected the lives and futures of millions of Afghan girls, distancing them from their dreams and aspirations.
Afghanistan is the only country in the world to have completely banned education for girls, making it a focal point of global attention. According to UNESCO, over 2.5 million Afghan girls are deprived of access to education. This restriction has far-reaching consequences beyond education, leading to increased despair, psychological challenges, and a pervasive sense of injustice among them.
Zainab, one of these girls, shares her painful story: “Every time I see my brother go to school while I’m forced to stay home, it breaks my heart. This life is unbearable.” Zainab, who graduated from high school in 2021 and had planned to study economics at Kabul University, lost all hope after the Taliban came to power.
Fatima, another girl who dreamed of becoming a doctor, says: “I always thought I would one day help others, but now I’m the one in need of help. I want the world to hear our voices.”
Marssal, a 15-year-old girl, adds: “I just want to go to school. Is that too much to ask?”
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has warned that prolonged denial of education poses serious risks for Afghan girls. These risks include an increase in early marriages, domestic violence, and the loss of future employment and social opportunities.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Refugee Agency has reported that widespread restrictions on women under the Taliban have increased depression and anger levels among women by 50%. Many girls and their families now live in conditions where they are not only deprived of educational opportunities but also find their hope for a better future dimmer than ever.
International Students’ Day, established to honor the rights of students and the importance of education, serves this year as a stark reminder of the discrimination and injustice faced by millions of Afghan girls. The global community has repeatedly urged the Taliban to reopen educational institutions for girls, but these calls have so far gone unanswered.
Education is not just a fundamental right but also a tool for empowering women and societies. While the world strives to achieve gender equality, Afghanistan remains a symbol of deprivation and inequality. This situation places a heavier responsibility on the global community to support Afghan girls.
International Students’ Day is an opportunity to amplify the voices of Afghan girls who have been stripped of their most basic rights, ensuring their cries for justice and education are heard louder than ever.
