Oddbean

Afghan girls endure 1,000 days without school under Taliban rule ========== The Taliban's ban on educating girls over the age of 12 in Afghanistan has reached 1,000 days. The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has denounced the ban, stating that 1,000 days out-of-school amounts to 3 billion learning hours lost. UNICEF executive director Catherine Russell has called on the Taliban government to allow all children to resume learning immediately. The Taliban have also banned women from attending school beyond the sixth grade and from public places such as parks, beauty parlors, and gyms. Human Rights Watch has expressed concern about the potential loss of talent and dreams due to the ban. The U.N. special rapporteur on Afghan human rights has called for the Taliban to be held accountable for their crimes against women and girls. The Taliban reject criticism of their government and policies, stating that they are aligned with local culture and Islam. The impoverished country of Afghanistan is in need of relief assistance, with more than half of the population, including 9.2 million children, requiring assistance. UNICEF executive director Russell emphasized that education not only provides opportunities but also protects girls from early marriage, malnutrition, and other health problems. #Afghanistan #Taliban #Girls'Education #Unicef #HumanRights #Women'sRights https://www.voanews.com/a/afghan-girls-endure-1-000-days-without-school-under-taliban-rule/7653958.html