IEA govt move to postpone women higher education condemned

ATLANTA (Pajhwok): The international community has expressed its displeasure over the ‘Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan’ (IEA) latest move to postpone women higher education in the country till the next order.

In a statement Tuesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US "condemns in the strongest terms the Taliban's indefensible decision to ban women from universities, keep secondary schools closed to girls, and continue to impose other restrictions on the ability of women and girls in Afghanistan to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms."

"No other country in the world bars women and girls from receiving an education," Blinken said.

Ambassador Robert Wood, alternative US representative for special political affairs, also issued a response to the Taliban's decision at a United Nations Security Council briefing.

"The United States condemns in the strongest terms this absolutely indefensible position. The Taliban cannot expect to be a legitimate member of the international community until they respect the rights of all Afghans, especially the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women and girls. We will continue to work with this Council to speak with one voice on this issue."

Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, Secretary General's Deputy Special Representative for #Afghanistan, @UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, on his twitter handle wrote:

“@unafghanistan is deeply concerned about the reported decision announced today to suspend university education for women. Education is a fundamental human right. A door closed to women’s education is a door closed to the future of #Afghanistan.”

UNAMA Deputy Head Potzel Markuz said: “This decision is an expression of a backward policy jeopardizing the future of the whole country. As it doesn't represent the majority will of the Afghan people, those Afghans who do not agree with this policy should make their voices heard.”

On Tuesday, The Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) postponed women higher education nationwide till the next order, an official said.

MoHE Spokesperson Ziaullah Hashami announced the development after sharing an official statement on his twitter handle in this regard.

“All state and public universities of the country are informed that based on the cabinet decision No. 28 women higher education is postponed till the next order,” the statement reads.

It added universities should take immediate step in this regard.

nh