Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Sunday called on the Taliban regime to allow girls and women to attend school and university as the country celebrated 105 years of independence.
Karzai stressed the importance of women’s education and their participation in society. He urged all Afghans to work together to overcome poverty, acquire knowledge and strive for progress.
According to United Nations data, 1.4 million Afghan girls in the country are deliberately deprived of secondary and higher education.
Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, they have banned girls and women from studying beyond primary school. In some parts of the country, however, women and girls still attend religious schools, as well as midwifery and nursing schools.
The Taliban government is not internationally recognized.
Afghanistan gained independence in August 1919 after the signing of the Anglo-Afghan Treaty, which ended British control over the country’s foreign affairs.
On Sunday, the Taliban government celebrated Independence Day with a special event in Kabul.
