Former Afghan Leader Karzai Calls For Education of Girls, Women

Afghanistan’s former president Hamid Karzai has called on the Taliban regime to allow girls and women to attend school and university, as the country marked 105 years of independence.

This comes as the Taliban government celebrated its 105^th Independence Day On Sunday by holding a special event in Kabul. During Shah Amanullah Khan’s reign, on August 19, 1919, Afghanistan gained independence from Great Britain.

Karzai emphasized the importance of women’s education and participation in society, urging all Afghans to work together to overcome poverty, acquire knowledge and strive for progress.

He expressed hope that Afghanistan’s independence will lead to unity, solidarity and social justice among the people of Afghanistan.

Girls have been prevented from attending school above grade 6 for almost three years. They have also been barred from attending university for about a year and a half.

The Islamic Emirate has said the ban is not permanent but that the issue is an internal matter and no interference by other countries will be tolerated.

According to United Nations data, 1.4 million Afghan girls have been deliberately deprived of secondary and higher education in the country.

Since returning to power in August 2021, the Taliban banned girls and women from studying beyond primary school. However, in some parts of the country, women and girls still attend religious schools, as well as midwifery and nursing schools.

The Taliban government is not recognized internationally.

Afghanistan gained its independence in August 1919 after the signing of the Anglo-Afghan Treaty, which ended British control over the country’s foreign affairs.