UNESCO calls on Taliban to open girls' schools | News from Germany about events in the world

The Director-General of the United Nations Educational and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Audrey Azoulay expressed deep concern on Saturday, September 18, over the decision by the Taliban who seized power in Afghanistan to gradually open secondary schools only for boys and their male teachers. “At this critical time, it is imperative to ensure that the right to education is respected for all students, especially girls. It is equally important that all female teachers are allowed to return to school to teach, ensuring a safe and inclusive learning environment for children in Afghanistan.” a statement released by the UNESCO press service.

If the ban, which the Taliban announced the day before, is maintained, it would constitute a serious violation of the fundamental right of girls and women to education, as well as call into question the progress made at all levels of the education system in Afghanistan, UNESCO noted. The literacy rate for women has nearly doubled from 17 percent to 30 percent, according to the organization.

Particularly notable progress has been made in enrollment of girls in school: the number of girls attending primary school increased from almost zero in 2001 to 2.5 million in 2018. In 2021, 4 out of 10 primary school students were girls. The number of girls in tertiary education has increased from about 5,000 in 2001 to about 90,000 in 2018. The proportion of female teachers increased from 27 percent in 2007 to 36 percent in 2018.

Taliban replaces ministry of women affairs with ministry of virtues

The day before, on September 17, the radical Islamist Taliban movement also announced the abolition of the Ministry of Women’s Affairs. On its basis, the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice will be revived.

Such an agency already existed during the previous Taliban rule in the period from 1996 to 2001, reminds the Interfax news agency. It was it who introduced strict religious doctrines in the country in accordance with the Islamic order, was responsible for the work of the “morality police”, which monitored the implementation of Sharia law, and also adopted serious restrictions on the life of women in Afghanistan. In particular, this ministry allowed a woman to leave the house only when accompanied by male relatives – otherwise she was threatened with lashes.

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How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban
In a male society
Judging by the photographs and videos of news agencies, the streets of Afghanistan have become crowded and noisy again. Restaurants in Herat seem to have reopened to the public. But what immediately catches the eye is that only men are sitting at the tables, some of them are dressed in the traditional kurta for Afghanistan – a knee-length shirt. There are almost no women on the streets.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban
Learn – only individually
These students at a private university in Kabul are separated from each other by a ceiling-to-floor curtain: universities have already officially announced gender segregation. “Learning together is contrary to the principles of Islam, as well as national values, customs and traditions,” Acting Minister of Higher Education Abdul Baqi Haqqani said in Kabul.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban
Lost rights and freedoms
On the way to the mosque in Herat: after the Taliban came to power, most of the rights and freedoms that women gained in Afghanistan during the years of the stay of the allied forces there were lost. The Taliban have already banned women from sports and social activities.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban
Constant control on the roads
Checkpoints and road checks have become a characteristic feature of the urban landscape in Afghanistan. People are afraid of Taliban armed to the teeth – and therefore want to attract as little attention to themselves as possible. Western clothing is being worn less and less.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban
Taliban take over their enemy’s estate
Many villas and palaces have changed owners. This greenhouse and estate in Kabul’s Sherpur district was recently owned by Abdul Rashid Dostum, an Afghan field commander and former vice president. Taliban militants have taken over the home of one of their worst enemies. Dostum himself fled to Uzbekistan.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban
Waiting for work
Day laborers sit by the side of a road in Kabul, hoping to be offered some kind of job. After the Taliban came to power, Afghanistan is experiencing an economic crisis, and many of the country’s residents have been left without work. According to the UN, in the coming months, the population of Afghanistan will be threatened by rising food prices and poverty.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban
Fight for your rights
The rise to power of the Taliban in many cities in the country was accompanied by protests such as this one in front of the presidential palace in Kabul on September 3. Afghan women activists defend their right to education and work – even as the Taliban forcefully disperse peaceful demonstrations.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban
United Nations is concerned
According to the UN, the Taliban are increasingly brutalizing critics of the regime. Radical Islamists use sticks, whips and live ammunition to disperse peaceful protests, the United Nations Human Rights Office (UN) said. It is also reported that at least four demonstrators were killed.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban
Who supports the Taliban
But there are also those in Afghanistan who are quite satisfied with the Taliban’s coming to power. The women in the photo came out to the demonstration, accompanied by the Taliban, to declare their full agreement with the group’s policies. Taliban supporters do not support those women who fled the country, and claim that Sharia law fully ensures their safety.

How life changed in Afghanistan after the arrival of the Taliban
Demonstrative support for the Taliban course
Before the start of the demonstration in support of the Taliban, some of the participants were taken to a lecture hall at a university in Kabul. Journalists were officially invited to cover the action. This was in stark contrast to the Taliban’s hostility towards media representatives at protests.
Author: Claudia Den, Marina Baranovskaya