No country can get ahead without the right to education for all

The following is the full statement.

At this moment of great urgency for Afghanistan, we at Farkhunda Trust, associate member of Make Mothers Matter, welcome the HRC report on Afghanistan with its particular emphasis on the promotion of women’s rights, and we call on the global community to prioritize the critical role that the right to education for ALL plays in protecting these rights.

The tangible gains made by Afghan women in recent years, including the right to education and employment, is in jeopardy. At the negotiating table in Doha, the Taliban are insisting that their interpretation of Islam must prevail in any future agreement. “Islamic Rights of Women and Tradition” is on the agenda but what does that entail? Does it mean going back to the days when women and girls’ rights were denied? What importance is being placed on the vital connection between the protection of women’s rights and peace and security?

No country can get ahead if half its population loses its rights to education and gets left behind.

Make Mothers Matter and the Georgetown Institute for Women Peace & Security are jointly launching a global Appeal. World leaders need to support it, as urgent action is needed now to ensure inclusive and equitable education. Without it, we risk not just an uncertain future for Afghan women and girls, but also challenges to peace, stability and development in Afghanistan, the greater region and the world.

Let’s #RaiseApen for the future of Afghanistan.

Full Statement for download 

The statement was delivered during the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council as part of the discussion on the High Commissioner’s report on the situation in Afghanistan, which in particular focused of women’s rights.