The former president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai, called on Sunday for the Taliban regime to allow education for girls and women. This plea was made as part of his commemoration of the 105th anniversary of Afghanistan’s independence. Karzai emphasized the importance of collective efforts toward education and progress.
Since the Taliban takeover in 2021, the regime has faced repeated criticism for its policies toward women. These policies include mandated burqa wearing, restrictions on women’s mobility without a male relative, and limited employment opportunities. The United Nations has described these conditions as “gender apartheid”. Human Rights Watch has also outlined that the Taliban’s actions amount to crimes against humanity and are responsible for a serious crisis in women’s rights.
One of the most severe aspects of this crisis has been the ban on female education, which affects both primary and higher education institutions. According to UNESCO, 1.4 million girls are currently barred from attending school. Additionally, the Taliban has reduced salaries of female employees to discourage their participation in the workforce, as highlighted in a recent report.
Karzai, who served as president until 2014, has consistently advocated for educational inclusivity. He previously expressed support for the UN Security Council’s decision to send a special envoy of peace to Afghanistan, reaffirming his call for universal access to education.
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