World’s support urged in reopening of Afghan girls schools

KABUL (Pajhwok): Women rights advocacy groups on Tuesday during a gathering in Kabul renewed their demand for the reopening of girl high and secondary schools and called for giving place to ulema, qualified individuals and experts in the government.

Representatives from NGOs and some organizations —- Noori Education, Development and Capacity Building Organisation, International Women Office for Peace and Freedom and Afghan Women Organisation for Peace and Freedom were present in the gathering in capital Kabul. Some teachers and students also participated in the gathering.

They expressed deep concern over the closure of girls secondary and high schools and demanded their reopening.

SaadiaSeerat, representative of the Noori Education, Development and Capacity Building Organisation, said: “Following the recent political developments in the country, unfortunately, the education process has been damaged more than any other sector. About a year has passed since the doors of schools have been closed to girls and girls above the sixth grade are not allowed to go to school.”

She expressed concern over the closure of girls’ schools and said: “We Afghan women — teachers and students — are gathered at today’s press conference to defend women’s rights, to discuss and exchange opinions about the current deadlock.”

The participants of the meeting also passed a resolution, asking the acting government to take steps for the reopening of girls schools above class sixth.

The resolution states: “We ask the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to open the doors of all schools and scientific and educational centers to all girls as soon as possible… The closure of schools should not continue any longer… there is no Shariah justification for closing schools above the sixth grade for girls”.

The resolution also demanded the Islamic Emirate consult ulema, qualified people and experts and gets them involved in the government for good governance.

The resolution also stated: “If the girls’ schools are reopened, there is no opposition to the previous curriculum; we Afghan learners want to continue our lessons keeping in mind the Islamic principles and observing the Sharia hijab.”

According to the resolution, the international community, especially the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), is urged to support the demands of Afghan girls particularly their right to education.

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