Tehran- IRAF- the United Nations and the European Union have once again emphasized, through official statements, the vital role of Afghan women and girls in the sciences and called for the lifting of educational bans imposed on them.
In its statement, the UN stressed that achieving equality in science is not only essential for the advancement of humanity but also forms the foundation for a future in which technology and artificial intelligence will be central pillars of global prosperity.
The UN described the continuation of educational deprivation for women in Afghanistan as a serious obstacle to sustainable development and long-term progress in the country.
Over 1,600 Days of Educational Deprivation for Afghan Girls
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) noted in a press release: “This year, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science arrives after 1,607 days of denying education to Afghan girls beyond the sixth grade.”
UNAMA described this situation as “four lost years of opportunity” and warned that systematically excluding women and girls from educational and professional fields would pose deep and serious challenges to Afghanistan’s future.
European Union: Afghan Women Should Be at the Heart of Science and Progress
The EU office in Afghanistan, in a message marking the day, highlighted the essential roles Afghan women play across various sectors—from healthcare personnel (nurses and midwives) to researchers—and emphasized that they make a decisive contribution to maintaining public health and societal well-being.
The statement added: “Women must be at the center of scientific and technological progress, and the international community’s support for access to education for all Afghans will continue.”
