UNITED NATIONS: According to a recent report by UNESCO, Afghanistan is listed among the top ten countries where the majority of girls are unable to attend school, with approximately 75% of them deprived of education.
UNESCO’s report highlights the educational challenges faced by girls in Afghanistan and certain African nations. Among these nations, nine are from Africa, while Afghanistan ranks tenth with a significant portion of girls unable to access schools. It’s noted that around 50% of girls globally are unable to attend school, with the figure rising to 75% in Afghanistan.
Concerns are raised by individuals such as Zakiullah Muhammadi, a university professor, who warns of a bleak future for Afghanistan if girls continue to be denied access to education.
Eighth-grade students Zahra and Maryam, deprived of school due to closures beyond the sixth grade, have resorted to painting. Despite their creative pursuits, they express the irreplaceable value of education and advocate for the reopening of schools for girls.
Zahra emphasizes the importance of education, expressing her desire for schools to resume so she can continue her studies. Similarly, Maryam laments being unable to progress academically due to the prolonged closure of schools.
Other students, including Rabia and Sana, join in requesting the caretaker government to facilitate the reopening of schools for girls above the sixth grade in the upcoming educational year.
Despite the closure of girls’ schools for over 900 days and the imminent start of a new educational year, the caretaker government has yet to address the issue of reopening schools for these girls.
