KABUL: The UN Women’s section has announced that according to a household survey, 92% of the Afghan population supports the education of women and girls, opposing the Taliban’s stance on this issue. The survey collected opinions from 2,190 citizens in both rural and urban communities. Suzanne Ferguson, the UN’s Special Representative for Women in Afghanistan, stated that girls are always eager to learn, and families want their children to receive an education, as literacy can change the course of girls’ lives. Sophia Kaltorp, head of humanitarian affairs at UN Women, added that support for girls’ education is significant among both men and women, in rural and urban areas alike. She noted that nine out of ten people oppose the Taliban’s restrictions on girls’ education. The UN’s “Gender Alert” report predicts that the continuation of these restrictions until 2026 will lead to an increase in child marriages, early childbirth, and maternal mortality, resulting in over $920 million in losses to the Afghan economy. Despite these challenges, Afghan women have not lost hope and are striving to combat Taliban repression through education and social participation. Since regaining control of Afghanistan, the Taliban has prohibited the education of girls beyond the sixth grade and higher education.
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