New York, June 13, 2024 — “Today marks a somber and reflective anniversary: 1000 days since the decision to ban girls from attending secondary schools in Afghanistan.

“1000 days out of school equates to the loss of three billion hours of education.

“This systematic exclusion of nearly 1.5 million girls is not only a gross violation of their right to education but also reduces their opportunities and deteriorates their mental health.

“Children’s rights, especially those of girls, must not be held hostage to political agendas. Their lives, futures, hopes, and dreams are at stake.

“The impact of the ban is not limited to the girls alone. It exacerbates the ongoing humanitarian crisis and has severe repercussions on Afghanistan’s economic and developmental trajectory.

“Education not only provides opportunities but also protects girls from early marriage, malnutrition, and other health issues, and enhances their resilience against disasters such as floods, droughts, and earthquakes that frequently affect Afghanistan.

“My colleagues at UNICEF are working tirelessly to support all children in Afghanistan. In collaboration with our partners, we are working to keep 2.7 million children in primary education, teaching around 600,000 children—two-thirds of whom are girls—in community-based learning facilities, training teachers, and doing everything we can to maintain educational infrastructure.

“In highlighting this sad anniversary, I urge the de facto authorities to allow all children to resume learning immediately. I call on the international community to continue supporting these girls who need us more than ever. No country can move forward if half of its population is left behind and neglected.”