Chief of Communication, Advocacy and Civic Engagement for UNICEF Afghanistan, Same Mort, warned in Kabul that the closure of schools will even affect students’ mental health.

A month after the new school year began for some but not all children in Afghanistan, UNICEF is deeply concerned about the impact of this decision on girls’ education, mental health and ability to contribute to the Afghan economy in the future, Mort noted.

This official pointed out that when girls do not go to school, they are much more prone to early marriage and child labor.

They are much more likely to be victims of exploitation and abuse, which is why UNICEF continues to advocate for all children to attend school and learn at all levels in all regions, she added.

For her part, women’s rights activist Shamayil Tawana urged the Islamic Emirate (Taliban government) to reopen schools for girls after the sixth grade.

All Afghans called on the Taliban to reopen schools and not deprive Afghan girls of their rights, Tawana said.

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