In a message on International Women’s Day, former President Hamid Karzai called on the Taliban to take swift action to reopen schools and universities to girls and allow women to return to work.
He praised the role women have played in the country’s development, saying they have stood alongside men during many stages of Afghanistan’s social and economic progress.
Karzai said meeting the country’s basic needs and achieving long-term development requires the participation of women across different sectors of society.
“To achieve progress and prosperity, the doors of schools and universities must be reopened to girls as soon as possible, and conditions should be created for women to play an active role in society,” he said.
He added that Afghanistan could achieve growth by relying on the abilities and talents of its citizens and reducing dependence on outside support.
The appeal comes as the Taliban continue to enforce sweeping restrictions on women and girls.
Girls are barred from attending secondary schools and universities, and women are largely prohibited from working in nongovernmental organizations, including those linked to the United Nations. Women are also banned from pursuing medical studies.
