Afghanistan authorities must let girls learn

• IPNEd condemns the decision by Afghanistan’s de facto authorities to close secondary schools for girls after reopening them briefly on March 23.

• Afghanistan’s children must be able to exercise their right to education, which entitles both boys and girls to unhindered access to schooling.

• The international community must do everything possible to ensure primary schools and community-based education programmes have the funds and practical support to remain open.

The International Parliamentary Network for Education was appalled at the egregious decision by Afghanistan’s de facto authorities on March 23 to reverse the reopening of secondary schools for the country’s adolescent girls.

This was a practical test of the authority’s statement that they were “committed to the right to education of all citizens”. A test which they clearly and unambiguously failed.

“Afghanistan’s children must be able to exercise their right to education, which entitles both boys and girls to unhindered access to educational opportunities,” said IPNEd’s executive director Joseph Nhan-O’Reilly.

“During my visit to Afghanistan in February I was delighted to be given in person assurances by the authorities of their intention to allow girls to return to school. I urge them to honor their word and to reopen secondary schools for girls immediately.“

“We know beyond any doubt that this is what girls and their parents and communities want.

“The latest version of the Survey of the Afghan People - the longest running barometer of Afghan opinion - found that 86.9% of all respondents supported girls equal access to secondary school.

“We appeal to community leaders in every corner of Afghanistan to support the education of adolescent girls. We know that community demand for education has been central to progress in securing permission for schools to operate in the past and will likely play a key role in securing a change in policy now.

“Education is also the surest way to put the country on a path toward lasting peace and prosperity that the people of Afghanistan deserve.

“However, we also know that without additional support from the international community, the education system risks collapse. Schools will shut, teachers will continue to be unpaid, and millions of children will be denied their fundamental right to an education.

“We urge donors to support the UN and civil society organizations to maintain basic educational services across the country. Without that support, the education of primary-aged children who can currently attend school will be put in jeopardy.

“It is vital that whilst unequivocally condemning the violation of adolescent girls' right to education we do everything possible to ensure primary schools and community-based education programmes have the funds and practical support to remain open,” concluded Mr. Nhan-O’Reilly.