Meet Taliban Office In Qatar, Foreign Minister Retno: Women's Education Essential For Afghanistan's Future

Indonesian Foreign Minister meeting with representatives of the Taliban in Doha, Qatar. (Twitter/@Menlu_RI)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi emphasized the importance of women's education for Afghanistan's future, mentioning Qatar's joint commitment to providing humanitarian assistance by paying attention to women, during a meeting with high-ranking Taliban officials.

Foreign Minister Retno said that the international community appreciated Indonesia's efforts to build bridges of communication with various parties, for the creation of a safe, peaceful and prosperous Afghanistan for its people, which is Indonesia's priority.

"Yesterday, together with the Qatari Foreign Minister, I signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) regarding the provision of humanitarian and development assistance for the Afghan people," said Foreign Minister Retno in a virtual press statement from Doha, Monday, March 28.

"The LoI shows the commitment of the two countries to continue to help the people of Afghanistan, especially in the fields of education and capacity building, including for women and children in Afghanistan," continued Foreign Minister Retno.

She further explained that the assistance designed for the long term consisted of, college scholarships for Afghan students, especially women, vocational training according to the needs of the Afghan people, organizing a dialogue about the role of women in Afghanistan.

Regarding Afghanistan, Foreign Minister Retno also met with Plt. Afghan Foreign Minister who is also a high-ranking Taliban official, Amir Khan Muttaqi, together with Qatari Assistant Foreign Minister Lolwah bint Rashid Al Khater.

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

"In the meeting, I reaffirmed Indonesia's commitment to creating stability, peace and prosperity in Afghanistan. I conveyed that Indonesia and Qatar had signed the LoI of willingness to provide scholarships and capacity building for all, for all, of course with great attention to women (Afghanistan) ," said Foreign Minister Retno.

"I also conveyed Indonesia's concern over the policy of closing access to high school for women in Afghanistan. I emphasized that women's education is very important for the future of Afghanistan," said Foreign Minister Retno.

Foreign Minister Retno added, responding to what she said, the Taliban welcomed the offer of assistance from Indonesia and Qatar for education and capacity building.

The Taliban's decision to close secondary education for women last week drew reactions from the international community, including the UN Secretary General, the UN Security Council and Foreign Minister Retno.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the Taliban's decision was a "deep disappointment and deeply damaging to Afghanistan."

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.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Retno wrote on Twitter last week, "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.