KABUL, Afghanistan — The U.S. Embassy for Afghanistan has condemned the exclusion of Afghan women and girls from classrooms, calling it a denial of their dreams and futures.
In a statement posted on X, the embassy highlighted that many young Afghans, particularly women, are being denied their right to quality education under Taliban rule.
“University students are unable to complete their degrees or contribute to their nation,” said Mario Crifo, Counselor for Public Affairs, in a message marking International Education Week.
He noted the long-term consequences of the Taliban’s education policies, warning, “Within a generation, there will be almost no Afghan women and only a handful of Afghan men who are qualified to pursue a university degree because they cannot access basic and secondary education at standards recognized by the international community.”
Crifo described the situation as a significant blow to Afghanistan’s future and its people, emphasizing the dire implications of depriving a generation of educational opportunities.
Girls sit for exams amid uncertainty
The statement coincided with the start of annual school exams for girls in Afghanistan’s cold regions, where despair and uncertainty overshadowed the process. Girls in grade six, the highest level they are allowed to complete under the Taliban’s ban, expressed frustration and called on the Taliban to reopen schools.
“My request to the Islamic Emirate is to open the school gates so I can continue my education and help rebuild my country,” said Madina, a sixth-grade student sitting for her exams.
Parents echoed these concerns, accusing the Taliban of politicizing education and denying their daughters a future.
International organizations have repeatedly criticized the Taliban’s restrictions on female education. A UNESCO report released in August estimated that at least 1.4 million Afghan girls have been excluded from secondary education since 2021.
The report revealed a growing trend, with 300,000 more girls being denied education since April 2023 as they reach the age limit for their current grade levels without the opportunity to continue their studies.
The Taliban’s education policies have drawn widespread condemnation, with global leaders and human rights organizations warning that Afghanistan risks long-term economic and social stagnation if half of its population is systematically excluded from education.
