University College student from Iran hopes for change during conflict
Sadaf Zarei, an international student at the University of Washington, expressed concern over the struggles of the Iranian women’s soccer team. Notably, the team captain recently abandoned a request for asylum in Australia due to worries about his family’s safety under Iran’s oppressive regime. Zarei emphasized the prevalence of digital blackouts and rampant human rights violations, urging an end to the “criminal terrorist organizations” in power.
Meanwhile, five years post-Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, UNESCO reports that 2.4 million girls remain excluded from secondary education, reversing years of progress and depriving an entire generation of education. Afghanistan stands as the only country officially prohibiting girls and women from education beyond the primary level, prompting UNESCO to call for the “immediate and unconditional” restoration of their educational rights.
The ramifications of Taliban policies go beyond just education. Women are largely barred from most paid jobs and public roles, needing the permission of a male guardian for travel. UNESCO highlighted that women are being erased from public life, leaving young, uneducated girls facing a bleak future.
The Taliban retook power in August 2021 during the withdrawal of US and NATO forces after two decades of conflict. They swiftly halted secondary education for girls and imposed further limits on universities and public roles.
Despite enduring pressure from global organizations and humanitarian groups, the Taliban remains resolute about keeping these educational restrictions, claiming it is an internal matter. This policy dramatically reverses the educational advancements made by Afghan girls in the last twenty years. In 2001, access to education was severely limited, but by 2021 nearly one million girls were enrolled in secondary schools.
Now, five years later, the educational landscape is grim, with Hoda Javelian from UNESCO asserting that this deprivation constitutes more than just temporary disruption—it envelops almost a complete middle school cycle.
UNESCO warned that the prohibition on girls’ education while also excluding women from the workforce could exacerbate Afghanistan’s severe economic issues. With almost half the population living below the poverty line, denying women educational and employment opportunities further restricts family support and economic contributions. This limitation could also negatively impact girls’ mental and physical health, increasing the risk of early marriage.
This educational crisis also affects Afghan boys. The ban on female teachers instructing male students has intensified teacher shortages, diminishing education quality across the country.
As formal education closes to women and girls, UNESCO is pivoting towards community-based education and skills development programs. Nearly 70,000 individuals have participated, with women comprising 73% of learners. Classes are being conducted in community settings or homes of facilitators who navigate the political landscape with care.
While some literacy and skills programs are emerging, authorities recognize they cannot replace formal schooling. UNESCO asserts that every Afghan girl and woman deserves the right to study, work, and have freedom of movement for a better future. The organization insists that the global community must not turn away until these human rights are fully restored.
UNESCO will persist in advocating against the education ban while maintaining alternative avenues for Afghan women and girls. They continue to call for the “immediate and unconditional” restoration of educational rights, emphasizing that such rights are fundamental and non-negotiable.
