Karzai renews call to reopen girls’ schools in Afghanistan

Former President Hamid Karzai has warned that continued restrictions on girls’ education and women’s employment could seriously damage Afghanistan’s stability and future progress.

In a message marking the start of the new school year, Karzai congratulated students and described the ringing of the school bell as a symbol of fresh hope for the country’s future.

He said education for all Afghan children, both girls and boys, is a basic pillar of development, self-reliance and a life of dignity.

Karzai said the continued exclusion of girls from school and the restrictions imposed on women’s work are weakening society and making Afghanistan more vulnerable to deeper crises.

He called on the authorities to reopen schools and universities for girls and create opportunities for women to participate fully in social and professional life.

His remarks come as UNICEF has again urged Taliban to reopen schools for girls, saying hope, dignity and the future begin with education.

Since the Taliban returned to power, girls have remained barred from secondary schools and universities, while many women have also been restricted from working in public institutions, NGOs and other sectors.

These restrictions have deepened hardship at a time when Afghanistan is already facing a severe humanitarian crisis marked by poverty, aid dependence, unemployment and growing uncertainty.

Aid agencies and rights groups have repeatedly warned that denying girls education and women employment not only violates basic rights but also harms the country’s long-term recovery and resilience.

Karzai’s appeal adds to mounting domestic and international calls for change, but for millions of Afghan girls and women, access to education and work remains blocked.

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