Afghanistan: Taliban say they will allow all girls to return to school “soon”

The taliban They promised on Monday that they will allow all girls to return to schools “soon” after the reopening of schools a month ago today excluded Afghans in secondary and higher education from the classroom.

“Our efforts are focused on reopening the girls (secondary) schools soon so that the educational process returns to normal”Taliban spokesman Bilal Karimi told Efe.

The spokesperson explained that the Islamist formation is working on the design of a system to guarantee the safety of girls in schools, while respecting the values ​​and principles of both Islam and the Afghan people.

“We are still busy working on the framework, guidelines and regulations for girls’ schools.” and, little by little, schools will begin to open based on these measures, he said.

The taliban announced on September 18 the reopening of schools for boys at all levels, while for girls it was limited to primary education.

Despite the decision of the taliban, at least five of the 34 Afghan provinces unofficially reopened secondary schools for girls during this time.

“Schools have been reopened in some provinces and now we are working to reopen them in Kabul as well.”Mashal Afghan, a member of the Taliban’s cultural commission, told Efe.

The ban on reopening schools for girls and young women has caused uncertainty among the Afghan population, with criticism from women’s rights activists, who fear a return to the dark ages of the previous Taliban regime between 1996-2001.

During that time, and despite continuous promises that the measures would only be temporary, girls were prohibited from attending school and the role of women was relegated to domestic tasks, without the possibility of even working.

“The Taliban have and must reopen girls’ schools, otherwise this time they will face the nation’s backlash. If the Taliban continue with this ban, it will be their biggest mistake ”, Matiullah Wesa, activist and voice of the fight for the rights to education in Afghanistan, assured Efe.

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