UNICEF / AFGHANISTAN GIRLS EDUCATION BAN

As new school year starts in Afghanistan, almost 400,000 more girls deprived of their right to education, bringing total to 2.2 million. UNICEF

• Video Length: 00:02:54
• Production Date: 21 March 2025
• Asset Language: English
• Corporate Name: UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND - UNICEF
• Subject Topical: EDUCATION; GIRLS; HUMAN RIGHTS
• Geographic Subject: AFGHANISTAN
• MAMS Id: 3353551
• Parent Id: 3353551
• Alternate Title: unifeed250321h

Description

STORY: UNICEF / AFGHANISTAN GIRLS EDUCATION BAN
TRT: 2:54
SOURCE: UNICEF
RESTRICTIONS: PLEASE CREDIT UNICEF ON SCREEN
LANGAUGE: NATS

DATELINE: 6 NOVEMBER 2024, KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

Shotlist

1. Wide shot, girls from grades 1 to 6 heading to their classes at the start of the school day
2. Med shot, girls from grades 1 to 6 heading to their classes at the start of the school day
3. Med shot, 5th grade schoolgirls Dari language class
4. Wide shot, 5th grade schoolgirls Dari language class
5. Close up, 5th grade schoolgirls Dari language class
6. Wide shot, 5th grade schoolgirls Dari language class
7. Close up, 5th grade schoolgirls Dari language class
8. Close up, 5th grade schoolgirls Dari language class
9. Med shot, a Dari teacher at a language class for 5th-grade schoolgirls in Kabul
10. Med shot, 5th grade schoolgirls Dari language schoolbook
11. Close up, 5th grade schoolgirls Dari language schoolbook
12. Wide shot, a Dari teacher at a language class for 5th-grade schoolgirls in Kabul
13. Med shot, a Dari teacher at a language class for 5th-grade schoolgirls in Kabul
14. Med shot, 5th grade schoolgirls Dari language class
15. Med shot, 5th grade schoolgirls Dari language class
16. Med shot, 5th grade schoolgirls Dari language class
17. Med shot, 5th grade schoolgirls Dari language class
18. Med shot, schoolgirls washing hands at a UNICEF provided water point
19. Close up, schoolgirls washing hands at a UNICEF provided water point
20. Wide shot, 2nd grade schoolteacher teaching the alphabet and counting
21. Med shot, 2nd grade schoolgirls learning the alphabet and counting
22. Med shot, 2nd grade schoolgirls learning the alphabet and counting
23. Wide shot, 2nd grade schoolgirls learning the alphabet and counting
24. Med shot, 2nd grade schoolgirls participating in a alphabet and counting
25. Med shot, 2nd grade schoolgirls learning the alphabet and counting
26. Med shot, 2nd grade schoolteacher teaching the alphabet and counting
27. Med shot, 2nd grade schoolgirls learning the alphabet and counting
28. Med shot, 2nd grade schoolgirls learning the alphabet and counting
29. Wide shot, 2nd grade schoolgirls learning the alphabet and counting
30. Close up, 2nd grade schoolgirls learning the alphabet and counting

Storyline

As new school year starts in Afghanistan, almost 400,000 more girls deprived of their right to education, bringing total to 2.2 million.

UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell made a statement on the third anniversary of the ban on secondary education for girls in Afghanistan.

She said, “As a new school year begins in Afghanistan, it marks three years since the start of the ban on girls' secondary education. This decision continues to harm the future of millions of Afghan girls. If this ban persists until 2030, over four million girls will have been deprived of their right to education beyond primary school.
“The consequences for these girls - and for Afghanistan - are catastrophic.

“The ban negatively impacts the health system, the economy, and the future of the nation. With fewer girls receiving an education, girls face a higher risk of child marriage with negative repercussions on their well-being and health.

“In addition, the country will experience a shortage of qualified female health workers. This will endanger lives.
"With fewer female doctors and midwives, girls and women will not receive the medical treatment and support they need. We are estimating an additional 1,600 maternal deaths and over 3,500 infant deaths. These are not just numbers, they represent lives lost and families shattered.

“For over three years, the rights of girls in Afghanistan have been violated. All girls must be allowed to return to school now. If these capable, bright young girls continue to be denied an education, then the repercussions will last for generations. Afghanistan cannot leave half of its population behind.

“At UNICEF, we remain unwavering in our commitment to Afghan children – girls and boys. Despite the ban, we have provided access to education for 445,000 children through community-based learning—64 per cent of whom are girls. We are also empowering female teachers to ensure that girls have positive role models.

“We will continue to advocate for the right of every Afghan girl to receive an education, and we urge the de facto authorities to lift this ban immediately. Education is not just a fundamental right; it is the pathway to a healthier, more stable, and prosperous society.”