The EU called on the Taliban administration in Afghanistan to reopen secondary schools for girls as soon as possible on Monday.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell criticised the Taliban’s decision to remove nearly 1 million females from secondary education in the nation in a statement made on behalf of the bloc.
“No theological or societal rationale could possibly justify such inequity,” Borrell said, calling the decision a “blatant violation of all children’s fundamental right to education.”
He emphasized that the decision contradicts the Taliban regime’s past vows and jeopardizes their “chances to win local legitimacy” as well as their “credibility in the eyes of international allies.”
He warns that EU financing to Afghanistan has been conditional on ensuring women’s rights and equitable access to education, and that the current “judgment would have far-reaching ramifications unless swiftly reversed.”
“Education for girls is essential for women’s full, equal, and meaningful involvement in Afghan society,” Borrell said, assuring Afghan women of the EU’s continued support.
Afghanistan’s schools reopened on Wednesday after an almost seven-month hiatus, but girls in grades above sixth were advised to stay at home.
In October, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a €1 billion ($1.1 billion) aid package to be provided directly to Afghans with the assistance of UN agencies.
The EU has emphasized that the help is for the benefit of Afghans in need, and it has insisted on its five-point program as a condition for engaging with the Taliban administration without recognizing the government.
These requirements include fighting international terrorism, respecting human rights, including women’s rights, establishing an inclusive and representative administration, allowing unfettered access to humanitarian supplies, and allowing foreign people and Afghans in danger to leave freely.