Afghanistan Times
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KABUL – At a United Nations Security Council meeting on June 23, 2025, the United Kingdom strongly condemned the Taliban’s continued ban on secondary and higher education for Afghan women and girls, now in its fourth year. Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, urged the Taliban to immediately reverse this edict, emphasizing that denying education to half of Afghanistan’s population is unacceptable. He also highlighted concerns over restrictions on women’s medical education and the challenges women face accessing essential healthcare services.
Kariuki cited alarming figures showing that nearly 80% of young Afghan women are excluded from education, employment, and training opportunities. He warned that the Taliban’s policies not only violate fundamental rights but also threaten Afghanistan’s economic future, estimating a loss of $1.5 billion by 2030 due to the ban on girls’ secondary education. The UK called for increased accountability, including referring Afghanistan to the International Court of Justice for violations of women’s rights under international law.
Despite providing over $230 million in aid last year and launching new food security initiatives benefiting half a million Afghans, the UK stressed that humanitarian assistance alone cannot ensure long-term stability. Ambassador Kariuki urged the Taliban to engage constructively with the international community and demonstrate a genuine commitment to peace, development, and respecting international obligations for Afghanistan’s future.
