The United Nations is calling on countries to exert diplomatic pressure on the Taliban rulers in Afghanistan, saying their ban on girls' education has left millions of children out of school since the group returned to power four years ago.
"At a time when some are trying to normalize relations with the Taliban, I call on the international community to remain more mobilized than ever for the full and unconditional restoration of Afghan women's right to education," said Audrey Azoulay, director of the UN Educational and Cultural Agency, UNESCO.
Nearly 2.2 million girls are prevented from pursuing education beyond the primary level, according to UNESCO.
"Unfortunately, Afghanistan is the only country in the world where secondary and higher education is strictly prohibited for girls and women," Azoulay said.
"An entire generation of Afghan women is being sacrificed," she added, calling for the international community to "maintain diplomatic pressure."
The Taliban, who promised softer rule after taking power in August 2021, have imposed severe restrictions on women, banning them from attending universities, going to public parks, gyms and beauty salons - measures that the UN has described as "gender apartheid."
Russia - which is not mentioned in the statement - is the only country to have recognized the Taliban government since they took power in 2021, following the withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan./REL
