KABUL – The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has raised a red flag on the global future of girls’ education, focusing on the alarming situation in Afghanistan. A recent estimate suggests that by 2030, approximately 110 million girls worldwide, including those in Afghanistan, could face educational deprivation.

In a poignant statement shared on its Facebook page, UNAMA highlighted the severe consequences of this educational gap. Girls who are denied access to schools are at an increased risk of violence and abuse, the organization warned. Afghanistan, in particular, faces a critical situation, as post-September 2021 data reveals that over 1.1 million girls aged twelve and above have been barred from attending school due to the Taliban’s return to power.

The exclusion of girls from education in Afghanistan, stemming from the collapse of the republican system, has left them exceptionally vulnerable. UNAMA’s report underscores that the highest numbers of girls lacking educational access are in South and Central Asia, depriving them not only of education but also broader life opportunities.

The dire situation in Afghanistan becomes more pronounced, especially for girls above the sixth grade, who are explicitly prohibited from attending school under Taliban rule. This policy has had devastating effects on the lives of young women, forcing many into small businesses for sustenance and causing severe mental health challenges due to the impact of educational deprivation.

Despite the recent statement from the Taliban’s Ministry of Education, claiming no age restrictions for girls attending religious schools, it fails to address the broader issue of restricted access to general education. This restriction remains a critical barrier to empowering young women and ensuring their full participation in Afghan society.

Culled from Afghanistan Times