A number of women from Afghanistan and Spain held a protest gathering today (Thursday, March 26) in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, in response to the continued ban on girls’ education above the sixth grade in Afghanistan.
The protesters, chanting slogans such as “Shame on Europe” and “Free Afghan women,” called for immediate action by the European Union to ensure the rights of girls and women in Afghanistan, especially the right to education.
The protesters said that women in Afghanistan are facing systematic violations of their rights, and that the international community must pay serious attention to ending this situation and not remain silent in the face of gender apartheid in Afghanistan.
These women protesters also called on the European Union to condition aid to Afghanistan on respect for women’s rights and to take more practical steps, such as supporting women’s organizations, creating safe pathways for refugees, and providing educational opportunities.
Today, the new school year began in the cold provinces of Afghanistan, but girls above the sixth grade are still being deprived of their right to education in schools.
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