Reactions to the Closing of Universities to Girls in Afghanistan

The decision of the Islamic Emirate to suspend the education of girls in universities has provoked domestic and foreign reactions.

The US Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published a statement saying that this decision will have negative consequences for the Islamic Emirate and that this government cannot be a legitimate member of the international community in this situation.

The statement emphasizes that the US, its partners, and allies will continue to defend the rights of Afghans, including women and girls.

At the same time, Richard Bennett, the United Nations special rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, has asked the authorities of the Islamic Emirate to review this decision and allow education for Afghan girls.

Ramez Al-Akbarov, the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Afghanistan, called education a fundamental human right and posted on Twitter that he is concerned about the suspension of Afghan girls’ education.

On the other hand, a number of citizens of Afghanistan also express their concern about closing the gates of universities to girls, saying that this decision will stop the social and economic growth of Afghanistan.

While the Islamic Emirate suspended girls’ education until an unknown time, the criticism of the continued closure of schools for girls above the sixth grade continues strongly.

In a letter, the Ministry of Higher Education has directed private and public universities and higher education institutions that girls’ education is suspended until further notice based on the cabinet’s decision.

At the same time, this morning, a number of female students posted on social media that they were not allowed to enter universities.

The reason why universities are closed to girls is not known, but for about a year now, girls above the sixth grade have not been allowed to go to school.

The Islamic Emirate says that after providing a suitable educational environment, these girls will be allowed to go to school.

This is despite the fact that providing human rights, including girls’ right to education, is one of the conditions for the international community to recognize the current government of Afghanistan.