Tajikistan calls for reopening of girl’s schools in Afghanistan

A Tajiki official has expressed Dushanbe’s concern over the ongoing ban on the girl’s education and women’s rights to work. Two years after the Taliban banned girls from going to school beyond sixth grade, Afghanistan is now considered as the only country in the globe with restrictions on female education.

Many people, including women’s rights activists have described the policy of Taliban against girls and women as “gender apartheid” and asked the world community to pressurize the Taliban to remove the decision on banning girls from schools and women form most work and public spaces.

Sharaf Rahimi, Head of the Department of Strategic Research of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, said that Afghanistan is the only country where girls have no right to education.

Sharaf Rahimi, Head of the Department of Strategic Research of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan.

“With due unfortunate, human rights, especially the rights of women and girls are not observed in Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban. Women are not able to go to workplaces and are almost isolated from society and have no official posts,” Rahimi told Harici.

Rahimi said that the world community must not leave Afghanistan alone and more efforts should be done until reopening of schools for girls over sixth grade.

Girls beyond sixth grade separated from their classmates with tears in their eyes

This comes as many Afghan girls have marked their last day in schools this year as they are no longer able to study beyond sixth grade. The conclusion of the current school year in Afghanistan this week has left sixth grade graduates in distress and videos circulating online showed them saying farewell to their classmates with tears in their eyes.

Among the Taliban officials, only deputy foreign minister Abbas Stanekzai has been very positive about reopening schools for girls. Speaking in a ceremony in Kabul, Stanekzai said that there is no reason to deprive girls from education, calling it an oppression and violation against them. He also said that girl’s education is the major factor for not recognizing the Taliban government by the world.

He said that instead of a ban, efforts must be doubled to provide education opportunities to everyone. “We have only one problem with our public, the neighbors, and the regional countries. That’s the education for girls. Today our nation is upset with us and this is because of education – only education,” he added.

Tajikistan called on the international community not to leave Afghanistan alone

This comes as Rina Amiri, the US Special Representative for women and human rights in Afghanistan, had called on the Taliban to engage in talks with the Afghans regarding their demands for education.

Tem bridge over the river Pyanj is one of five cross-border bridges connecting Afghanistan with Tajikistan.

Speaking in Doha Forum, she also spoke about recognition of the Taliban government saying, “we use the term normalization, not recognition, and it’s not simply a check-off of giving girls an education for recognition; this is a process in which we are coordinating with the rest of the international community, and there is much to be done for the Taliban to get that type of normalization that they seek.”

Meanwhile, Tajiki official, Rahimi called on the world community not to leave Afghanistan alone and also expressed concern over the security situation in Afghanistan.

“Campaign against terrorist groups and comprehensive fight against drugs is also needed to be focused as these two elements have been posing a big security threat not only to Afghanistan but to the regional countries as well,” he added.

Tajikistan supports formation of inclusive government in Afghanistan  

While putting weight behind a formation of inclusive government in Afghanistan, Rahimi said that Tajikistan is supporting a peaceful, united, and drug-and-terrorism free Afghanistan. “We believe that one of the important aspects to maintain security in the Central Asian countries is to immediately resolve security and drug issues in Afghanistan,” he added.

Calling Afghanistan as a brotherly country and neighbor, Rahimi said that Dushanbe hopes for an inclusive government where everyone, including influential figures, political parties, and members of all segments of the society can be part of it.

Rahimi also spoke about the ongoing human rights situation in Afghanistan, saying unfortunately, the situation in Afghanistan is really concerning. “A large population of the Afghans are suffering from poverty. Food insecurity is also threatening almost 90 percent of the Afghan population. The recent earthquakes in Herat province were also a big tragedy that added to the Afghans miseries,” he lamented.

He said that due to the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan, the international community must pay more attention and the humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people must be continued.

Tajikistan ready to support Afghanistan overcome food crisis  

“Tajikistan is ready to continue supporting the Afghan people in order to overcome the food crisis and also bring a durable peace. To improve the economy, we are ready to establish joint markets on the bordering areas of Tajikistan and Afghanistan in order to improve business and mutual ties.

Commenting on 11th Herat Security Dialogue (HSD-XI) that had recently been held in Dushanbe, Rahimi said that he was very happy to see Afghans coming under one roof to discuss their problems, saying that Tajikistan is a second home for the Afghans.

He said that participation of high-profile Afghan politicians, former government officials, experts, intellectuals and foreign guests from different organizations, including the European Union, have highlighted the importance of (HSD-XI) conference.

He said that such conferences like HSD, will definitely help in bringing peace, and economic prosperity in Afghanistan, calling such conferences as an important step to open windows for constructive dialogues toward important issues of Afghanistan.