UNICEF on Saturday urged the interim Taliban-led administration in Afghanistan to lift the ban on girls' secondary education as the new school year begins without girls for a third consecutive year.
As new school year starts in Afghanistan, almost 400,000 more girls deprived of their right to education, bringing total to 2.2 million, according to the United Nations agency for children.
The agency stated that the consequences for these girls - and for Afghanistan - are catastrophic.
"This decision continues to harm the future of millions of Afghan girls. If this ban persists until 2030, over four million girls will have been deprived of their right to education beyond primary school," - UNICEF stated, highlighting the increased risk of child marriage and its negative repercussions on their well-being and health.
In addition, the country will experience a shortage of qualified female health workers. This will endanger lives.
"With fewer female doctors and midwives, girls and women will not receive the medical treatment and support they need. We are estimating an additional 1,600 maternal deaths and over 3,500 infant deaths. These are not just numbers, they represent lives lost and families shattered," - the agency added.
UNICEF has urge the de facto authorities to lift this ban immediately.
"Education is not just a fundamental right; it is the pathway to a healthier, more stable, and prosperous society,” it added.
Despite the ban, UNICEF was able to provide access to education for 445,000 children through community-based learning—64 per cent of whom are girls.
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Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 30 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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Representatives from the diplomatic community, the United Nations and international organisations gathered in Kabul on Wednesday ahead of the 13th World Urban Forum (WUF13), set to take place in Baku from 17 to 22 May.
Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation remained severe throughout 2025, with millions still struggling to meet basic needs, according to a new report by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Fourteen people were killed on Sunday after a helicopter belonging to Saudi oil giant Aramco crashed in Ras Tanura, according to Saudi state media.
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Eleven people were killed when a small plane carrying skydivers crashed near Nancy in eastern France on Sunday, local officials said.
The United States and Iran have agreed to halt strikes against each other, in a potential breakthrough after weeks of escalating tensions. The two sides are expected to meet in Doha on Tuesday to address their dispute over the Strait of Hormuz.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the country is going through a “difficult period”, but has learned much from it, according to state news agency TASS.
Afghanistan has been ranked last among 194 countries in the KidsRights Index 2026, as the Dutch-based foundation warned that children’s rights are facing growing pressure worldwide.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz held a phone call on Monday to discuss bilateral relations, regional developments and wider global issues, according to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.
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