The European Union delegation in Afghanistan marked the International Day of Education by expressing solidarity with the Afghan people in their struggle for the fundamental right to education and a prosperous future.
In a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Friday, the EU delegation emphasized the importance of inclusive and quality education. “Quality education for all, regardless of gender, is essential for the prosperity and self-sufficiency of Afghanistan,” the statement read.
The International Day of Education, observed annually on January 24, highlights education’s pivotal role in fostering peace, development, and equality. This year’s theme, “Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Education: Preserving Human Agency in a World of Automation,” underscores the urgency of ensuring access to education for every individual, irrespective of gender, race, or geography.
Afghanistan, however, remains the only country in the world where girls are explicitly barred from all levels of education. According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), it has been 1,225 days—nearly four years—since the Taliban imposed a ban preventing girls above the age of 12 from attending school. Female students have also been prohibited from pursuing higher education, deepening the educational crisis in the country.
The EU’s message comes amid growing international pressure on the Taliban to reverse these restrictions, which have drawn widespread condemnation for undermining the fundamental rights of Afghan women and girls.
