New Delhi: India expressed concern at the Taliban government’s ban on women in higher education institutions in Afghanistan.
The Taliban government had announced through a letter to universities that women would be suspended from tertiary education. The Taliban government had, so far, allowed women in universities, but only in segregated classes and they were not allowed to take certain subjects.
Since the letter, women students have been returned from the gates of universities and colleges in Afghanistan. There has been widespread condemnation of the move from the United States to Muslim countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
In its first official response, external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that India has “noted with concern the reports in this regard”.
“India has consistently supported the cause of female education in Afghanistan. We have emphasised the importance of the establishment of an inclusive and representative government that respects the rights of all Afghans and ensures the equal rights of women and girls to participate in all aspects of Afghan society, including access to higher education,” he noted at the weekly briefing on Thursday.
Bagchi recalled that UNSC resolution 2593 reaffirmed “the importance of upholding human rights including those of women and also calls for full, equal and meaningful participation of women”.
India’s expression of concern fell short of condemnation, as explicitly articulated by the United States and the European Union. Since June, India has had a small team of diplomats stationed in its Kabul to engage with the Taliban government but does not formally recognise the regime, in line with the rest of the international community.
The Saudi foreign ministry said that the Taliban’s decision “raises surprise in all Islamic countries”.
“Banning women from higher education contradicts with giving Afghan women their full legal rights, foremost of which is the right to education that contributes to supporting security, stability, development and prosperity for Afghanistan and its people,” the statement said.
The OIC secretary-general Hissein Brahim Taha expressed his grave concern and dismay at the decision, especially when the Islamic bloc had repeatedly warned the Taliban against taking such a decision.
Pakistan foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed “disappointment”, but added that there was no alternative but to continue engagement with the Taliban regime.
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