The Islamic Emirate’s decision to ban girls above grade six from going to their schools faced widespread reactions. The closed schools above grade six for female students faced reactions at the national and international level since March.
Although the Islamic Emirate said that schools for the female students in grade 7-12 will be reopened, there has yet to be a final decision announced. The Ministry of Education had announced the reopening of all schools for girls and boys, but on March 22 girls beyond grade six were not allowed to attend their schools.
“They ruined our hope. We are girls, we have dreams. We want to study to become a doctor or engineer but they don’t want us to study,” said Malika, a student.
“In the new solar year of 140, on the third of Hamal, the doors of schools will be reopened to all girls and boys,” said Aziz Ahmad Riyan, a spokesman for the Ministry of Education. The Islamic Emirate’s decision to ban girls above grade six from going to their schools faced widespread reactions.
Many Afghans, including teachers, students and women’s rights defenders, took to the streets of the capital Kabul, where they called for girls’ access to education and women’s access to work. “We are gathered today to raise our voices and to not allow a generation to be deprived of education,” said Monisa Mubariz, a protestor.
“The basic human and Islamic right of girls should not be politicized,” said Suhrab, a protestor. The calls for reopening girls’ school was made by several Islamic clerics in Afghanistan and neighboring countries. “Who has given this Fatwa (order), why?—and what is the reason for it? They give me one reason for the closing of the female schools,” he said.
“This is our right and based on the Islamic law, the doors of schools should be reopened,” said Mullah Imam, a religious cleric. In reaction to the ban on girls secondary and high school, the UN Secretary General, European Union, US, Germany and many countries around the world reacted to the decision of girls’ schools being closed.—Tolo News
