Qatar, US Donate $50 Million Towards Education In Afghanistan

In a statement released on Sunday, 8 December, the UNHCR identified infrastructural deficiencies, restrictive policies targeting girls, and a shortage of qualified teachers as key challenges to education in the country.

“The 2024 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) for Afghanistan estimates that eight million people will require educational assistance within the same year,” the statement noted.

The organisation outlined its commitment under the Education Strategy for Afghanistan 2024–2027, developed in collaboration with its partners, to address these gaps. The strategy includes constructing schools, training teachers, and expanding online learning platforms to ensure equitable access to education.

The UNHCR emphasised its advocacy efforts aimed at lifting the bans on education for women and girls, describing them as critical to achieving safe and equitable access to learning opportunities. It highlighted ongoing collaboration with key partners, including UNICEF, UNESCO, and Save the Children, to improve access to education in Afghanistan.

The statement also detailed the UNHCR’s integration of education-focused initiatives with broader programmes, such as conducting gender-based violence awareness sessions for teachers and providing psychological support for students and educators.

The UN’s concerns over worsening gender inequality in Afghanistan come as the Taliban continues to enforce restrictions barring girls from education beyond grade six in schools and universities. Most recently, the Taliban also banned women from attending medical training institutions, sparking further international condemnation.

The UNHCR reiterated its commitment to addressing the educational crisis in Afghanistan, focusing on empowering marginalised groups and tackling the systemic barriers preventing access to education.

The ministry noted that the majority of returnees entered the country from Iran.

Abdul Mutalib Haqqani, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees, stated on Sunday that over this period, approximately 15,000 individuals returned from Türkiye, while more than 88,000 migrants returned from Pakistan. Meanwhile, over 790,000 Afghans reportedly returned from Iran.

Radio Television Afghanistan, operating under Taliban control, highlighted that the forced deportation of Afghan migrants from these countries is ongoing.

Following the Taliban’s return to power, hundreds of thousands of Afghans fled to neighbouring countries, particularly Iran and Pakistan, seeking safety and stability. However, over the past three years, these countries have expelled hundreds of thousands of Afghan migrants.

Earlier reports from Pakistani media indicated that 32,200 Afghans returned from Pakistan between 21 July and 16 August. Iranian officials have also announced plans to deport nearly two million Afghan migrants by the end of this year, further intensifying the pressure on displaced Afghan populations.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X on Saturday, Wong criticised the Taliban’s ban on women studying nursing and midwifery, warning that this decision “puts lives at risk.” She stressed that the move highlights the need to hold the Taliban accountable under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

“The Taliban’s actions underline the urgency of Australia’s efforts to seek accountability for their treatment of women under international law,” Wong remarked.

Australia, alongside Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada, was among the first nations to announce plans to file a formal complaint against the Taliban at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Over 20 countries have now expressed their support for prosecuting the Taliban for gender-based violations.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) recently announced an ongoing investigation into gender-based persecution of women in Afghanistan, with findings expected to be released soon. ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan recently met with several women activists and assured them that “good news” is forthcoming.

The Taliban’s leader ordered the closure of medical training institutions for women and girls last week, triggering widespread international condemnation. However, Taliban officials in Kabul have yet to comment on the decision.

Amarkhil, who served as the last governor of Nangarhar under the previous government, handed over the provincial administration to the Taliban without confrontation just days before the fall of Kabul. A close ally of former President Ashraf Ghani, Amarkhil continues to reside in Afghanistan.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X on Saturday, Amarkhil noted that over the past three years, Taliban officials have prioritised fostering good relations with the international community. While acknowledging the importance of international relations, he criticised the regime for sidelining domestic concerns.

“The first step to gaining global legitimacy is achieving domestic legitimacy,” Amarkhil emphasised.

He further argued that the credibility of any government relies on the trust and confidence of its people, adding, “This trust cannot be earned through force and fear but by addressing the people’s demands and paying attention to them.”

In its new report released on Wednesday (December 4), the World Bank had said that Afghanistan's economy is not in a safe situation and although it has grown modestly, it is still facing serious challenges.

The international organisation cited financial constraints, trade imbalances, and limited public investment capacity as among the economic challenges facing Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

In addition to the components affecting economic growth, the report emphasised on the role of women's economic participation in long-term recovery and reducing vulnerability to future economic shocks.

While the Taliban has imposed severe job restrictions on women since coming to power, in addition to banning education, causing unemployment for thousands of women working in various sectors, the report identifies women's participation as a key factor for economic growth.

In a part of the report, the World Bank pointed to the growth of GDP, the increase in the Afghani currency against foreign currencies, the decline in food prices, and the growth of domestic industries. However, the Taliban stated that the statistics of economic growth and progress are higher than these.

The Taliban's statement pointed to projects such as the Qosh Tapa Canal, TAPI project, the construction of highways, dams, and railways routes, and claimed that "415 billion afghanis" have been invested in the field of mines.

The Taliban has called on the international community to engage positively with Afghanistan with a "real understanding of the facts”.