Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has acknowledged that countries from both the Islamic world and the West have repeatedly urged the Taliban administration to reopen schools for Afghan girls.
In an interview with Liz Dus, Muttaqi was asked whether messages from the international community regarding girls’ education reach the Taliban leadership. He responded that the message is clear and that countries around the world have asked the Taliban to allow Afghan girls to return to school.
However, Muttaqi said Afghanistan should not be viewed solely through a Western perspective, suggesting that the country’s social and political circumstances need to be considered within its own context.
The Taliban have barred girls from secondary schools and universities since returning to power in 2021. The restrictions have drawn widespread criticism from the United Nations, human rights organizations and governments around the world.
The issue of girls’ education remains one of the major obstacles to the Taliban’s international recognition and engagement. Several Muslim-majority countries have also called on the Taliban to ensure education for Afghan women and girls.
Despite repeated international appeals, the Taliban leadership has continued to defend its policies, saying that education restrictions are temporary and that a framework based on its interpretation of Islamic law and Afghan society is required.
The continued closure of schools has raised concerns about the future of millions of Afghan girls and the long-term impact on Afghanistan’s education system, workforce and development.