RASC News Agency: Despite the lapse of more than two years since the inception of Taliban rule, the political deputy of the Taliban’s foreign ministry, Abbas Stanikzai, recently conceded that conducive conditions for the resumption of girls’ schools have yet to materialize. In a meeting with an Iranian delegation on Monday, December 25th, Stanikzai underscored that, in accordance with Sharia law, education is an inherent right for girls. However, he abstained from furnishing any elucidation regarding the prolonged delay in reopening these educational institutions.
It is imperative to highlight that Abbas Stanikzai stands as one of the few officials within the Taliban who overtly champion girls’ education. He has previously articulated that the closure of girls’ schools has engendered a growing schism between the Taliban and both individual entities and nations. Nonetheless, it becomes apparent that other members within the Taliban echelons are not as predisposed to overtly endorse Stanikzai’s plea. The absence of a consensus within the group concerning this matter raises pertinent inquiries regarding the trajectory and dedication to advancing education for girls in regions under Taliban control.
According to diverse sources in Kandahar province, where the purported clandestine leader of the Taliban group is said to reside, reports have surfaced indicating that the group’s leadership enforces a prohibition on the education of girls beyond the sixth grade, citing religious justifications. Furthermore, this stance persists despite the initial prohibition imposed by the Taliban on girls above the sixth grade attending school after their assumption of control over the country.
Furthermore, they extended their restrictions to impede the access of these girls to universities, without furnishing any rational justification for their actions. Despite their reiterated assurances of imminent reopening of educational institutions, substantive measures have yet to be undertaken.
