MONITORING (SW) – The UN has reiterated calls for reopening of girls’ schools in Afghanistan.
UN Special Envoy Otunbayeva met in Kapisa with local de facto authorities, religious leaders and community elders, and visited a girls’ school, where discussions were held with education community, including female teachers.
“Girls must be allowed to continue education beyond 6th grade”, Ms. Otunbayeva said. She heard about immense needs. “Aid support is vital, but there is a great need for development and generating job opportunities for all, primarily for youth. She left a clear message: Afghans should not feel abandoned”, tweeted the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, Maulvi Farid Haqqani, head of education in Kapisa, confirmed this to Salam Watandar. Though Mr. Farid did not provide more details, he added that during this meeting, the special representative of the United Nations Secretary-General stressed the reopening of schools above the sixth grade and mentioned the respect of women’s rights.
Separately, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, has said in a series of tweets that during his visit to Afghanistan, he met diverse stakeholders including female and male representatives of civil society from several provinces.
“Reps from #Panjshir described a massive crackdown on civilians by TB & widespread human rights abuses, incl. egregious violations of women & girls”, he tweeted.
“Corroborating open source analysis, #Panjshiris also told me of the shocking treatment of NRF fighters hors de combat. This must stop & those responsible held to account”, he tweeted.
He urged Afghans from all communities to communicate their human rights concerns to his office.
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