Afghanistan and Keeping Girls in School
Statement of Esta Soler,
President and Founder,
Futures Without Violence
March 28, 2022
Contact: Lisa Lederer, 202/371-1999
Taliban’s Broken Promise to Educate Girls Is Cruel and Heartbreaking for Girls, Families, and for Afghanistan’s Future
“We are deeply disappointed by the Taliban’s refusal to allow girls in the 6th grade and older to re-enter school or continue their schooling. This is not only a cruel, heartbreaking broken promise, but also a short-sighted move that will render Afghanistan less successful for years to come. Education is a fundamental right that must never be denied to anyone, regardless of their gender. By barring girls from school, the Taliban is erasing a vital part of the next generation of doctors, teachers, writers, scientists, and leaders of all kinds. Prior to this betrayal, the World Bank released previously frozen funds to support health, education and other basic services for people in Afghanistan, who are suffering terribly. That may be the last largescale support the country receives, if the Taliban fails to reverse its decision to deny girls an education. We agree with the bipartisan women U.S. Senators that the United States and the international community must hold the Taliban accountable. We urge world leaders and multilateral organizations to demand that girls’ high schools be reopened; that girls’ primary schools remain open; and that all girls in Afghanistan be free to attend school, and to impose severe consequences if that does not happen. This kind of oppression must not continue.”
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Download and read the statement here.
FUTURES denounces the Taliban’s latest efforts to block girls’ access to education. These developments underscore the urgent need to advocate for girls’ rights to go to school. Already, 129 million girls face barriers to education and we cannot let the number increase. The Keeping Girls in School Act of 2021 is more relevant now than ever as we watch the Taliban strip young women and girls of their fundamental human rights.
Futures Without Violence is a proud supporter of the Keeping Girls in School Act of 2021. The bill has bipartisan support in both houses of congress. It was re-introduced in June of 2021 by Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Rob Portman (R-OH) in the Senate and Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL) and Mike Waltz (R-FL) in the House.
The Keeping Girls in School Act would direct the U.S. government to leverage its resources and partnerships with private institutions, NGOs and federal agencies to create solutions that address the obstacles facing adolescent girls. The bill would also require the development of a U.S. Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls to ensure that the United States remains committed to adolescent girls as a critical demographic in the growth of every nation, especially in developing nations.
Take Action Here. Contact your Member of Congress and tell them to cosponsor the Keeping Girls in School Act.
