UN Security Council Asks Taliban To Allow Afghan Girls To Return To High School

Illustration of an Afghan female student. (Wikimedia Commons/POA(Phot)/Sean Clee)

JAKARTA - The United Nations Security Council has expressed deep concern over the decision by the Afghan Taliban rulers to deny girls access to secondary school education, asking the group to reopen schools for girls without delay.

"Members of the Security Council reaffirmed the right to education for all Afghans, including girls," a statement from the United Nations said yesterday.

Last week, the Taliban retracted an announcement that secondary schools would open for girls, saying they would remain closed until there was a curriculum made according to Islamic law for them to reopen.

Separately, Suhail Shaheen, a senior member of the Doha-based Taliban, said the delay in opening girls' schools was due to technical issues, with the Education Ministry working on standard uniforms for students across the country.

"We hope that this uniform problem can be resolved and resolved as soon as possible," he said.

The reversal took many by surprise, drawing criticism and concern from humanitarian agencies, rights groups, and diplomats, at a time when the Taliban government is seeking international recognition.

"I am very concerned about the Taliban's decision to close access to secondary schools for girls in Afghanistan. Education for all, including women and girls, is very important for Afghanistan's future," Foreign Minister Retno wrote on her Twitter account last week.

"Indonesia will continue to encourage women's empowerment, especially access to education for women and girls in Afghanistan. Indonesia hopes that the Taliban can review this decision," continued Foreign Minister Retno.

To note, the Security Council requested Deborah Lyons, UN Special Envoy for Afghanistan, to establish communication with relevant Afghan authorities and stakeholders on this issue, then report back on progress.