NEW YORK: United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has said that the ban on higher education of Afghan girls by the Taliban is shocking.
In a message on Twitter, he wrote that the ban on girls’ university admission will have devastating effects and he urged the Taliban to ensure equal access to education for all.
I am deeply shocked by reports that the Taliban have suspended women and girls’ access to universities.
The denial of education violates equal rights and will have a devastating impact on the country’s future.
I urge the Taliban to ensure equal access to education for all.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) December 21, 2022
It should be noted that the Afghan Ministry of Education has issued a notice to ban the admission of female students to universities. On the other hand, the OIC in a statement has described the decision taken by the Taliban administration as disappointing and said that the Secretary-General and his Special Envoy on Afghan Affairs have repeatedly warned the Taliban government against such actions.
The statement released by the OIC said that Secretary-General Hussain Ibrahim Taha believes that the issue of obstructing women’s access to education in Afghanistan will not stop and will seriously damage the credibility of the Taliban government.
According to the statement of the OIC, they believe that this decision is actually an attempt to prevent Afghan women from accessing their basic rights such as education, employment and social justice.
The statement said that the OIC stands by its policy of engagement with the Taliban government of Afghanistan but strongly condemns this decision.
