The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai warned that the continued ban on girls’ education will lead to a severe shortage of skilled professionals in Afghanistan, particularly in the education and health sectors.
In a post published Thursday, Karzai cited a report by UNICEF, saying that if the current situation persists, Afghanistan could face a shortage of more than 20,000 teachers and over 5,000 female health workers by 2030. He added that the number of girls deprived of education could exceed two million.
Karzai expressed deep concern over the ongoing restrictions, stating that keeping schools and universities closed to girls weakens national capacity and increases the country’s dependence on external assistance.
He described universal education as a fundamental necessity and once again called for the immediate reopening of educational institutions to girls.
According to Karzai, ensuring access to education for all young people — both girls and boys — could help address the country’s challenges and reduce reliance on foreign aid.
The remarks come as girls above sixth grade in Afghanistan have been barred from attending school for more than four years, drawing continued criticism from international organizations and rights groups.
