Afghanistan's girls need our unwavering support in education

NEW YORK: The Taliban takeover of government in Kabul is just days old, and the eyes of Afghans and the world are cautiously watching and hopeful to see them stand by their word and ensure girls' education is promoted and protected.

Twenty years ago, under the Taliban regime which prevailed from 1996 to 2001, schooling for girls was banned although private home-based classes for girls were allowed in some parts of the country. From 2001 onwards, the enrolment of girls and boys in schools saw steady gains in Afghanistan, accompanied by a large intake of female teachers. Yet, despite improvements over the years, a staggering 3.4 million Afghan children, especially from rural areas, remain out of school, and 60 percent of them are girls.