By: Rukhshana Media
A number of people with disabilities have gathered to call for the reopening of schools and universities to female students in Balkh province ahead of the academic year starting.
The protesters emphasized equal educational opportunities for boys and girls and said education for women and men is a fundamental right.
“Our expectation from the Islamic Emirate is to consider the blessed verses of the Holy Quran, which deals with education as a special value,” Alef Khan, one of the protesters said at the protest on Monday. “They must provide equal education for all citizens of the country and put an end to the ban on education in the new academic year.”
Beheshta Ahmadzai, an organizer of the gathering, pointed out the important role of education in changing the country’s dire situation. “It is necessary for everyone to work for the growth and strengthening of the educational process, and our expectation from the current government is to put an to the suspension of girls education in universities.”
The protestors are insisting the girls’ schools be reopened, most of which have been closed for nearly 500 days since the Taliban took control of the country. No moves have been made to secure education for female students.
Instead, the Taliban continues to remove every single opportunity for girls and women to find other means to be educated, including banning any institution from allowing female students to register or sit for tertiary institution entrance exams.