UNICEF chief says Taliban showing ‘commitment’ to allowing girls in Afghan schools

UNICEF says that the Taliban regime in Afghanistan is showing a “commitment” to allowing Afghan girls to return to school at the end of March.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell told The Associated Press in an article published Friday that the Taliban has given “indications” that allowing the girls back in school is “their intention.”

“The de-facto [Taliban] authorities have given us indications that that is their intention, and we are hopeful that is going to happen, and we believe it should happen,” said Russell, who was appointed as to her position in early February.

The international community has made it clear that it is dedicated to helping Afghan girls receive education, and Russell said that the Taliban’s plan to reopen schools to girls might hinge on further conditions.

Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan immediately following the departure of American troops from the country, girls in grade seven or higher have been unable to attend school in most parts of the country.

The Taliban has claimed that delays in schooling for women and girls are attributable to a lack of space for segregated schooling, which the political group insists on implementing.

The Taliban-led government of Afghanistan is still unrecognized by the international community.

However, Russell said that “the international community has got to try and come together to work with the de-facto authorities here to do this together,” referring to a return to education for girls and women.

“It’s not something that humanitarian organizations can solve on their own,” she added.