Girls In Afghanistan Lose 3 Billion Learning Hours Due To 1,000-Day Education Ban:UNICEF

Catherine Russell, the Executive Director of UNICEF, stated that this educational ban harms Afghanistan's future and Economy while also causing psychological issues for the girls.

Ms. Russell emphasizes that children's rights, particularly those of girls, should not be sacrificed for Political reasons. She highlights that this systematic exclusion not only violates their right to education but also reduces their opportunities and negatively impacts their mental health.

She asserts that the prohibition's consequences extend beyond the affected girls, worsening the humanitarian crisis and impacting Afghanistan's economic and developmental future. Education is not merely an opportunity; it protects girls from early marriage, malnutrition, and other health issues, and enhances their resilience to frequent natural disasters like floods, droughts, and earthquakes.

The statement added that the UNICEF and its partners are striving to support all children in Afghanistan by maintaining primary education for 2.7 million children, conducting community-based education classes for 600,000 children, two-thirds of whom are girls, and training teachers to sustain the educational infrastructure.

Ms. Russell calls on the Taliban de facto administration to allow all children to resume their education immediately and urges the international community to continue supporting these girls, as no country can progress when half of its population is left behind.

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