Afghanistan Times
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KABUL — A 14-year-old video of former Afghan President Hamid Karzai advocating for girls’ education has resurfaced on social media, drawing renewed attention to the ongoing restrictions on female education in Afghanistan.
The video, shared by Abdul Karim Khurram, former Minister and Chief of Staff to President Karzai, shows Karzai holding a child while addressing a crowd in Helmand province. In the footage, Karzai emphasizes the importance of education and literacy, urging communities to promote schooling for all children, especially girls.
Khurram highlighted the video as an example of Karzai’s connection with the populace, praising his ability to communicate in the language of the common people. He also referenced Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a Pashtun leader imprisoned by British colonial authorities over a century ago for establishing a school, drawing parallels between past and present struggles for education rights.
The timing of the video’s reemergence is significant, as it comes amid ongoing international concern over the Taliban’s restrictions on female education. Since regaining power in August 2021, the Taliban have barred girls from attending secondary schools and universities, prompting widespread condemnation.
Karzai has consistently called for the reopening of educational institutions for girls, describing education as a fundamental right and essential for Afghanistan’s development. In various statements and meetings, he has urged the Taliban to lift restrictions on women’s education and employment, emphasizing that such limitations hinder the country’s progress and self-reliance.
The video serves as a poignant reminder of Afghanistan’s ongoing struggle for educational equality and the enduring importance of advocating for girls’ rights to education.
