Take Responsibility for Not Defending Afghan Women’s Rights, Barr Tells Int’l Community

Heather Barr, Associate Women Rights Director at Human Rights Watch, said that the international community should hold themselves responsible for not defending the rights of Afghan women. Barr said that violation of women's rights in Afghanistan hurts women around the world.

January 24 is celebrated as World Education Day, and on this occasion, diplomats and officials of international organisations have criticised the closure of schools and universities for Afghan women and girls.

For more than 490 days, the Taliban has prevented the reopening of girls' schools in Afghanistan.

On World Education Day, even Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary General, called on the Taliban to reverse the ban on education for women.

Guterres said that now is the time to end all discriminatory practices that hinder access to education.

Similarly, the Charge d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Afghanistan, said that it is difficult to celebrate World Education Day while Afghan girls are deprived of the right to education.