KABUL: Afghan government has rejected Invitation to Global Conference on Girls’ Education, Signaling Continued Restrictions on Women and Girls
The Taliban government of Afghanistan has declined an invitation to participate in a global conference on girls’ education recently held in Pakistan, reaffirming its commitment to its restrictive policies against women and girls. The conference, which aimed to foster dialogue on promoting girls’ education, extended the invitation to Afghanistan despite the Taliban’s controversial stance on the issue. However, the Afghan government chose to refuse the invitation, drawing widespread criticism from international human rights organizations.
Prominent human rights activist Farzana Bari condemned the situation in Afghanistan as “gender apartheid,” highlighting that women’s rights have been systematically dismantled since the Taliban’s return to power. Bari commended Afghan women for their resilience, stating, “Despite state aggression and oppression, Afghan women continue to stand for their rights.”
Another activist, Banish Javed, shed light on the harsh realities Afghan women face. “Being a girl in Afghanistan has become a crime,” she said, referencing the severe restrictions on education, employment, and even basic freedoms, such as the ability to have open windows in their homes.
Human rights advocates have repeatedly denounced the Taliban’s policies, which they argue are often justified under religious pretexts. Critics point to the ongoing and systematic bans on women’s education and employment as glaring evidence of severe human rights violations.
The Taliban’s stance has also worsened healthcare challenges for Afghan women, limiting their access to essential medical services. Bari noted that Afghan women’s health remains a low priority for the government, further deepening the crisis.
While the Taliban continues to defend these measures as part of their interpretation of an Islamic system, global condemnation of their policies has grown stronger. Human rights groups and activists are urging the international community to maintain pressure on the Taliban to uphold fundamental human rights for women and girls.