KABUL (SW) – Deprived of the right to education, women and girls have reiterated calls for freedom as the Islamic Emirate leader announced his Eid day message.
Hebatullah Akhundzada, the leader of the Islamic Emirate, in a part of his message on the occasion of the Eid al-Fitr, emphasized on the expansion of education in Afghanistan and said that he has useful programs in hand for the further development of science and knowledge.
However, a number of female students, in response to these statements, once again asked the leader of the Islamic Emirate to reopen schools and universities and remove the restrictions on girls’ education.
Muhaddeh, a student of the 11th grade in one of the schools in Kabul city, said that although the leader of the Islamic Emirate did not say anything about the reopening of schools in his Eid message, but he is expected to be able to go to school again in the coming days. “All the girls and I were hoping that the leader of the Islamic Emirate was talking about the reopening of schools and universities, but we have not heard anything about girls going to school and we are very worried about this issue. I hope that the women will return to their studies.”
Najma, who is a 12th grade student in one of the government schools, is optimistic about the reopening of schools in the days after Eid, saying: “I am optimistic that the Islamic Emirate will open the gates of schools. I hope that after Eid, we can return to our studies. If the Islamic Emirate wants to expand science and knowledge, it is necessary for everyone to go back to school and university so that a literate generation is born.”
On the other hand, a number of female students also say that opening schools and universities to girls is the only way to progress in Afghanistan.
Nilofar, a third grade student at one of the government universities in Kabul, says that he expects the leader of the Islamic Emirate to provide equal access to science and progress to everyone by removing educational restrictions. He added: “We expected the leader of the Islamic Emirate to mention the opening of universities and schools. Our request to the leader of the Islamic Emirate and the people who are at the top is to provide a learning environment for everyone and girls to be able to return to their studies.”
Meanwhile, a number of women’s rights activists say that while waiting for the reopening of schools and universities, the leader of the Islamic Emirate should have clarified the fate of girls’ education in his Eid message.
Maryam Maarouf Arvin, a women’s rights activist, says that with the opening of the gates of schools and universities, social justice will also be ensured to some extent. “The people of Afghanistan expect the fate of Afghan girls, who experience deprivation and condemnation today more than ever before, to be determined. For example, how long will schools and universities remain closed?”
As female students expressed their expectations to return to their classrooms, the decision to reopen schools and universities has not been announced by the Islamic Emirate.
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