The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that more than 2.6 million girls in Afghanistan have been deprived of secondary education over the past five years.
The organization said on Thursday, September 17, on its X account that Afghanistan is the only country in the world where secondary and higher education is banned for girls and women.
UNICEF has urged the Taliban to lift restrictions on education and allow all girls and women to immediately return to schools and universities.
The organization emphasized that depriving girls of education will have far-reaching consequences for children, families, and the future of Afghanistan.
Since the Taliban retook power in 2021, girls have been barred from education beyond sixth grade, while women have also been banned from attending universities.
UNICEF has repeatedly called for schools and universities in Afghanistan to reopen to girls and women, describing education as one of their fundamental rights.
