'India Has Consistently Supported Female Education In Afghanistan': MEA On Taliban Ban

Speaking with reporters, MEA Spokesperson stated: "We have noted this with concern. India has consistently supported female education in Afghanistan."

MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi. (File Photo)

After Taliban imposed a ban on girls and women from attending universities for indefinite period, Union Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson on Thursday stated that the government has noted this with a concern and "India has consistently supported female education in Afghanistan," news agency ANI reported. 

Speaking with reporters, MEA Spokesperson stated: "We have noted this with concern. India has consistently supported female education in Afghanistan. I would also like to recall UNSC resolution 2593, which upholds human rights that calls for equal participation for women."

We have noted this with concern. India has consistently supported female education in Afghanistan. I would also like to recall UNSC resolution 2593, which upholds human rights that calls for equal participation for women: MEA spox on Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/avazaL02NN

— ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2022

In line with the Cabinet's decision on Tuesday, the decision to restict women from attending universities was made by the country's higher education minister. The minister further stated that the judgement will be implemented immediately.

The revelation on Tuesday has brought to the forefront the discussion about the Taliban's quick shift in policy, normalising discriminatory gender-based norms, i.e., restricting Afghan women and girls' fundamental rights.

Despite their previous promise of a more inclusive and less restrictive leadership, the Taliban has steadily decreased women's rights and freedoms since taking over the country for the second time in 20 years. Furthermore, the new judgement is consistent with "Women Literally Being Erased from Public Life in Afghanistan," according to Mahbouba Seraj, an Afghan women's rights activist.

Despite their repeated vow to promote women's education earlier in March, the hardline extremist organisation reversed course, denying Afghan females above the sixth grade of their right to an education.

Not only that, but the country has imposed several of the most stringent rules to be followed, such as women being prohibited from going out without a male guardian; women being prohibited from going to their offices or workplaces; and women being prohibited from going to parks and gyms, among other things.