As the world observes World Science Day for Peace and Development on November 10, the EU mission in Afghanistan has renewed its commitment to supporting education in the country, calling it essential for fostering peace, innovation, and a self-reliant future for all Afghans.
“On World Science Day, the EU’s commitment to education in Afghanistan is vital for peace and development,” the mission said in a statement posted on X. “We support Afghan students and educators because investing in science means investing in lasting peace, innovation, and a self-reliant future for all Afghans.”
The day, established by UNESCO, is meant to highlight science as a cornerstone of peace, development, and sustainability. But in Afghanistan, education—especially for girls and women—remains one of the most restricted sectors under Taliban rule.
Since retaking power in August 2021, the Taliban have imposed sweeping bans on female education. Girls have been barred from secondary school for more than two years, and in December 2022, the ban was extended to universities, effectively erasing women from the country’s formal education system.
Some female students told Amu that these restrictions are not only threatening their personal futures but undermining broader hopes for peace and development.
“The current government’s restrictions severely threaten our academic and professional futures,” said a university student. “Access to education is the only path to building a brighter, more just, and peaceful future for ourselves and our country.”
“I dream of studying and one day using my knowledge to serve my country,” said a high school girl from Farah province. “But these restrictions have left me hopeless. Without education, there is no future.”
A United Nations report previously warned that the economic toll of banning women from education could reach $9.6 billion by 2066—equivalent to two-thirds of Afghanistan’s current GDP.
Despite international condemnation, the Taliban have defended their policies, claiming they align with their interpretation of Islamic values. Meanwhile, donor countries and international organizations continue to press for change, emphasizing that lasting peace and prosperity in Afghanistan are impossible without access to education for all.
