Afghan girls demand their right to education
This past 15 August marked two years since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. On this day, Education Cannot Wait launched a global campaign to amplify the voices of young Afghan girls and young women who are victims of the de facto education ban imposed by the Taliban a month after they seized power.
The organization, which serves as the UN global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises, developed the campaign in collaboration with Somaya Faruqi, former captain of the Afghan girls' robotics team, and using moving images by a young local artist.
Voices of Afghan Girls also presents a series of testimonies from people whose lives have been abruptly upended by the ban that prevents them from pursuing their education and dreams. Their words are conveyed alongside illustrations depicting both the despair they have experienced and their strength in the face of the ban on their education, the organisation says.
"The situation is taking a huge toll on girls' mental health, and suicide rates among girls have increased in the last two years. It is more urgent than ever to act now, and I hope that next year we will celebrate their freedom rather than point to their oppression. Much can change for the better in a year if we act together now, in solidarity with all Afghan girls," said Faruqi.
Education Cannot Wait invites the general public to post the illustrations on social media to stand in solidarity with them.
Right to a peaceful future
For its part, the High Commissioner for Human Rights reminds the de facto authorities that Afghanistan, as a state, has an obligation under international law to respect, uphold and promote the rights of all persons without discrimination.
"We remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation, in particular the severe restrictions imposed on women and girls, whose rights of access to education and work, their freedom of movement and their participation in daily and public life have been undermined by a series of discriminatory edicts enacted since the seizure of power," said Volker Türk.
The High Commissioner called on the international community not to forget the Afghan people, who are also living in a dire humanitarian and economic situation. "There is no Afghan who has not been affected in some way by the violence and conflict of the past four decades. Victims and their families continue to seek justice, accountability and much needed and sometimes vital support," he said.
Türk stressed that it is not too late to change the trajectory of the country, and for the Taliban to change its policies. "The people of Afghanistan have a right to a peaceful and harmonious future, and the Taliban, as the de facto authorities, have an obligation to ensure that this right is realised," he stressed.
Afghan women will not give up
The UN Women Executive Director recalled that, through more than 50 edicts, orders and restrictions, "the Taliban have left no aspect of women's lives untouched, no freedom untouched. They have created a system based on massive oppression of women that is rightly and widely regarded as gender apartheid".
Sima Bahous noted that despite the challenges they face, Afghan women say they will not give up. "They will continue to lead the fight against their oppression. In the face of the most hostile circumstances, they speak out against rape, provide vital services, own and run businesses and lead women's organisations. Their courage should inspire us to greater action".
The director called on all actors to support Afghan women by raising their voices, priorities and recommendations, funding the services they so desperately need, supporting their businesses and organisations.
"I urge the international community to continue their efforts and use all means at their disposal to push for change, including by fully funding the humanitarian appeal for Afghanistan".