UNESCO says 2.4 million Afghan girls are currently denied access to further education, cautioning that the number could reach four million by 2030 if the Taliban does not change course.
Key facts
- UNESCO says 2.4 million Afghan girls are denied access to further education.
- The figure could rise to four million by 2030, according to UNESCO.
- UNESCO ties the projected increase to Taliban policy remaining in place.
- A reversal of the policy is cited as necessary to prevent the rise.
UNESCO has said that 2.4 million girls in Afghanistan are being denied access to further education, according to Al Jazeera. The figure underscores the scale of the barriers facing girls and young women seeking to continue their schooling in the country.
The UN cultural and education agency warned that the number could reach four million by 2030 unless the Taliban reverses its policy, Al Jazeera reported.
The projection frames the current situation as one that could worsen significantly over the coming years if existing restrictions remain unchanged.
UNESCO’s warning highlights the potential long-term consequences of the policy for a generation of Afghan girls, with the agency directly linking the projected increase to whether the Taliban maintains or reverses its stance.
The reporting available focuses on the figures and UNESCO’s warning; further detail on the specific policies and any response was not provided in the source material.
Why it matters
Access to education has lasting effects on health, economic opportunity and the well-being of communities. UNESCO's figures point to millions of Afghan girls facing barriers to schooling, with the agency warning the impact could grow substantially within a few years.
Frequently asked questions
How many Afghan girls are denied access to further education?
UNESCO says 2.4 million Afghan girls are denied access to further education, according to Al Jazeera.
How high could the number rise?
UNESCO says the figure could reach four million by 2030 unless the Taliban reverses its policy.
What could prevent the increase?
According to UNESCO, a reversal of the Taliban's policy is needed to prevent the number from rising.