Three years since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul and the United States ended one of its longest foreign wars, the socio-economic picture in Afghanistan remains bleak.
Sad numbers
At least 1.4 million girls in Afghanistan have been denied access to secondary education since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021, with the future of an entire generation now “at risk”, according to UNESCO.
Access to primary education has also declined sharply, with the number of girls and boys enrolled in primary school at 5.7 million in 2022, 1.1 million fewer than in 2019, the UN education agency said in a statement on August 15.
These are indeed sad numbers as the Taliban government marks three years since taking over Afghanistan on August 15, 2021.
"UNESCO is concerned about the harmful consequences of these high dropout rates, which could lead to increased child labour and early marriage," the agency said. "In just three years, the de facto government (the Taliban) has all but wiped out two decades of steady progress in education in Afghanistan and the future of an entire generation is now at risk."
Afghan female students study at Kabul University in 2010. The Taliban imposed a ban on Afghan women attending universities from December 2022. Photo: Getty Images
Nearly 2.5 million Afghan girls are currently deprived of education, accounting for 80% of school-age girls in the country, the UN agency said. The state of higher education is equally worrying, with the number of university students falling by 53% since 2021.
UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay called on the international community to continue campaigning “for the unconditional reopening of schools and universities for Afghan girls and women”.
The Taliban government, which is not recognized by any other country, has imposed restrictions on women, making Afghanistan the only country in the world that prevents girls and women from attending secondary schools and universities.
The Taliban on August 14 marked their third anniversary of taking power with a military parade at Bagram Air Base, which has served as a staging post for US-led operations against the Taliban for two decades.
The Taliban took over Kabul on August 15, 2021, after the US-backed government collapsed and its leaders fled into exile. The day is celebrated by the Taliban one day earlier than the Afghan calendar.
Uncertain future
For the Taliban government, security has been a top priority as it has consolidated power over the past three years, enforcing laws based on its strict interpretation of Islam.
Speaking at the parade, Deputy Prime Minister Maulvi Abdul Kabir reaffirmed that no country is allowed to interfere in Afghanistan's internal affairs, nor use Afghan territory against any country.
Although some Afghans express relief after 40 years of conflict, the reality is that the country's economy remains stagnant and its people are mired in a worsening humanitarian crisis.
“The past three years have been some of the worst times of our lives,” said Zalmai, 26, who works for a non-profit organization.
“I don’t know what security issues the Taliban are talking about. People are hungry, young people have no jobs… both girls and boys face an uncertain future,” the young man added.
Taliban members sit on a military vehicle during a military parade in Kabul, Afghanistan, November 2021. Photo: Fox News
There have been efforts to revive the economy, but no country accepts the Taliban as the legitimate government in Afghanistan, and major international financial restrictions remain in place, says Al Jazeera's Osama Bin Javaid.
“The Taliban say they inherited a bankrupt country in a corrupt economic system dependent on foreign aid,” Bin Javaid said. “The Afghan central bank’s foreign exchange reserves have also been frozen by the US.”
A joint statement from international non-governmental groups has warned of a widening aid funding gap, with 23.7 million Afghans in need of humanitarian assistance.
Women were pushed out of public life – banned from many jobs as well as from parks and gyms – and barred from high school and university.
"It has been three years since the girls' dreams were crushed," Madina, a 20-year-old former university student in Kabul, told AFP. "It is bitter because every year this day reminds us of our efforts, memories and the goals we set for the future."
“Three years ago, technically a woman in Afghanistan could decide to run for president. Now she can’t even decide when she can go grocery shopping,” Alison Davidian, head of UN Women’s country office in Afghanistan, told Al Jazeera. “I’m not saying that three years ago everything was perfect. It wasn’t perfect. But it wasn’t like it is today.”
Minh Duc (According to Digital Journal, Al Jazeera, Anadolu)
Source: https://www.nguoiduatin.vn/thuc-te-am-dam-o-afghanistan-sau-3-nam-taliban-tro-lai-nam-quyen-204240815142406822.htm
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