Karzai's Call to Taliban for Girls' Education

On the 105th anniversary of Afghanistan's independence, former President Hamid Karzai has called on the Taliban to allow girls and women to return to education. In a statement, he emphasized the importance of education for a truly independent and self-sufficient Afghanistan, urging the caretaker government to reopen schools promptly. Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, they have prohibited girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade, citing their interpretation of Sharia law, while boys' education remains unaffected. According to UNESCO, the number of girls denied access to secondary education has risen to at least 1.4 million, an increase of 300,000 since April 2023. This alarming trend continues as more girls reach the age limit for schooling each year. Karzai, who served as president for 13 years after the Taliban's initial ousting, previously invited the group into Kabul to prevent chaos following the collapse of the NATO-led government in August 2021. In discussions with Iranian officials, Karzai has consistently highlighted the significance of girls' education. He reiterated that the future of Afghanistan hinges on educating its youth, stressing that education, unity, and national harmony are vital for the country's strength. However, since the Taliban's takeover, primary school enrollment has dropped significantly, with 1.1 million fewer children attending school, according to the latest UNESCO data. The decline in school attendance is attributed to the Taliban's ban on female teachers and the challenging economic conditions that discourage parents from sending their children to school. UNESCO estimates that nearly 2.5 million girls are currently deprived of their right to education, representing 80% of Afghan school-age girls.