Kabul [Afghanistan], May 2 (ANI): Afghan girls have turned to madrassas (religious schools) to learn the religious sciences since the country closed the schools for girls above the sixth grade, TOLOnews reported. Despite repeated requests to the Taliban for opening schools for girls in Afghanistan, the de-facto authorities have remained tight-lipped on the situation.

In order to study religious sciences, 18-year-old Mubashera, who is currently in the twelfth grade, is enrolled in a madrassa. She claimed that after other schools turned her away, she had no option but to get enrolled in a madrasa (religious school), the Afghan news agency reported. “It is ok that we can be (Quran reciter) through seminaries but it cannot replace our education. We cannot be a doctor by learning in seminaries,” Mubashera stated.

\Girls’ schools have been shut down, and female students have called upon the Taliban to reopen them on numerous occasions. “We can only be a reciter in seminary and learn about God,” said another Afghan student, Alina, as she lamented over the situation of girls in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime.

According to TOLOnews, some activists of women’s rights think that the current limitations on women and girls will damage the country’s educational system. Taliban has rolled back a wide range of human rights of women and girls, including a ban on attending high school and university, restrictions on movement and work, and in December, a decree banning female nationals from working in most NGOs.

Facing decades-long conflict, Afghanistan grapples with numerous challenges including a food shortage as foreign governments are cutting development funding and imposing sanctions, in large part due to the Taliban’s restrictions on women. Despite widespread condemnation, there are still restrictions on how many women can work for the UN, including a ban on girls’ higher education beyond the sixth grade, Khaama Press reported.

Since the Taliban regained power in August 2021 after the US exit from the country, women are not allowed to work in the fields of education with domestic and international organisations, in gyms, or in public spaces. (ANI)

Afghans demand access to education and work for girls, women

Doha [Qatar], May 2 (ANI): Afghans have demanded that girls and women be granted access to education and work in the country. This comes amid an ongoing international meeting of the UN in Doha, TOLO News reported. A UN meeting chaired by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and attended by representatives of more than 20 countries and organizations was held in Doha on Monday.

Some Afghan women criticised the lack of women’s representatives in the meeting. They also argued that participants should make an effort to remove restrictions on women’s work and education in Afghanistan, according to TOLO News. “The meeting that is set to be held in Doha should discuss the rights, work and political inclusion of women including at universities and schools and also the restrictions that are imposed on women in Afghanistan,” said Jolia Parsa, women’s rights activist.

Other citizens called on the international community to not halt humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan as the country remains in a serious crisis. “We hope the Islamic Emirate will open the way for an engagement that can provide rights to the people of Afghanistan,” said Abdul Jalil, a resident of Paktia.

“It is necessary that women should also be educated. We need doctors. If the women are deprived of education, we will depend on other countries for our needs in the future,” said Safiullah Momand, a resident of Nangarhar. “The people are neutral and they are not connected to the government, thus we should be provided with assistance. We have widows and there are blind and disabled people,” said Mohammad Sabir, a resident of Uruzgan, as quoted by TOLO News.

This comes as some Afghans held rallies in various countries including Europe, the US, and neighbouring countries, where they called for an inclusive government and respect for human rights in Afghanistan. “The Taliban have monopolized the people of Afghanistan, particularly women, which is considered a violation of human rights,” said Mursal Ayar, an Afghan women’s rights activist in Pakistan.

The Taliban, however, said it seeks good economic and diplomatic relations with the world. “The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan wants to have good relations with all the countries and also good diplomatic and economic relations. They should give a hand to Afghanistan in this regard,” said Zabiullah Mujahid, a Taliban spokesman. The Doha meeting is set for May 1 and 2. (ANI)