RASC News Agency: A coalition comprising organizations and education advocates has criticized the recent statements made by Otunbayeva, the representative of the United Nations Secretary-General in Afghanistan, regarding the education of girls in religious schools. They assert that she is seeking to normalize the prohibition of educating Afghanistani girls. In an open letter dispatched on Wednesday, January 3rd, to Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, these advocates deemed the statements of the UN Secretary-General’s representative in Afghanistan regarding the education of girls in religious schools as “irresponsible” and accused her of “normalizing” the ban on the education of Afghanistani girls.
According to these advocates, schools under the control of the Taliban promote “extremism and insurgency,” affirming that Afghanistan cannot progress through religious studies and presently confronts a shortage of skilled female workforce across all sectors, including healthcare. This missive, endorsed by nearly 140 organizations, civil activists, human rights defenders, judges, defense attorneys, and Afghanistani writers, was directed to the UN Secretary-General. It underscores, “The Taliban, through the expansion of religious schools in Afghanistan, aim to propagate extremism and hostility, which poses perilous consequences for this nation and others.” The advocates emphasize that Afghanistan, particularly Afghanistani women, necessitates modern education. However, in religious schools, modern subjects are not taught, and the emphasis leans more towards topics aligned with the Taliban’s agenda.
As per the letter, “In schools, there has been a discernible emphasis on religious subjects, and published reports indicate that individuals educated in schools under the Taliban’s control tend to become radicalized, even inclining towards hostility and insurgency.” It is noteworthy that Otunbayeva recently stated in a United Nations Security Council session on Afghanistan: “There is ample evidence that girls are allowed to study in religious schools.” She added, “The Taliban do not permit any oversight of these schools, and we do not know what they are teaching there.”
