The Taliban has denied education to 2.4 million Afghan girls, reversing decades of progress. According to UNESCO, Afghanistan is now the only country in the world that formally prohibits girls and women from receiving an education beyond the primary level.
Consequences of the Taliban’s Policies
The consequences of the Taliban’s policies reach far beyond the classroom, with women barred from most paid jobs and public-facing professions and facing restrictions on their ability to travel without a male guardian.
UNESCO warned that denying education to girls while restricting women’s ability to work could deepen Afghanistan’s already severe economic problems. Nearly half of Afghanistan’s population lives below the poverty line, and preventing women from studying and working further limits their ability to support their families and contribute to the country’s economy.
UNESCO has turned to community-based education, literacy, and skills development programs and psychosocial support to keep Afghan girls and women learning. Nearly 70,000 people have participated in UNESCO’s programs, with women accounting for 73% of the learners.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
