Ban on Girls’ Education; Bennett: Suicide Among Afghan Girls Has Risen
Bayan News – Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, has stated that the suicide rate among Afghan girls has seen a dramatic increase.
In an interview, he explained that the ban on education for girls above the sixth grade has had a devastating impact on women and girls.
Bennett said, “They see their lives and future opportunities almost entirely confined to the domestic sphere. This, coupled with the likelihood of early or forced marriages, has driven thousands of them into depression. Self-harm, including suicide and suicidal thoughts, has risen significantly.”
The UN Special Rapporteur emphasized that the ban on girls’ education affects Afghan society as a whole, stressing that no society can progress if half its population cannot contribute to the economy.
He highlighted that the long-term consequences of this ban include increased poverty, gender inequality, gender-based violence, and child marriages.
Bennett added that the Taliban’s system of discrimination, segregation, and disregard for human dignity is systematic and pervasive, implemented through decrees and policies.
According to Bennett, the deprivation of women and girls of their fundamental rights is so severe and widespread that he has concluded it may constitute crimes against humanity, specifically crimes of gender-based persecution.
“These are crimes under international law. They are not only ongoing but also escalating,” he stated.
Addressing the international community, the UN Special Rapporteur said that the courage and resilience of Afghan girls fighting for their right to education are not merely heroic but also “a reminder that education is a fundamental right, not a privilege. We must amplify their stories and resources to ensure their voices are heard everywhere and never forgotten.”
