Five years on, an entire generation of Afghan girls has missed out on school beyond grade six.
UNICEF says more than 2.6 million girls in Afghanistan have now been barred from secondary education for five consecutive years, since the ban on girls’ schooling beyond grade six was imposed in September 2021. Women have also been excluded from universities since December 2022.
The agency warns that the prolonged exclusion is deepening the risks of child marriage, poverty and poor health outcomes for a generation of Afghan girls, while depriving the country of future teachers, doctors and community leaders.
UNICEF continues to support community-based education and learning initiatives where possible, and is calling for the restoration of every child’s right to a full education, regardless of gender.
Source: UNICEF UK, UNICEF Canada
