EU Urges Support for Science and Education as Cornerstone for Peace in Afghanistan

KABUL – The European Union delegation in Afghanistan marked World Science Day for Peace and Development with a powerful call to invest in education and innovation, framing them as non-negotiable pillars for achieving lasting stability and a self-reliant future in the country.

In a statement issued on Monday, the EU mission underscored that scientific progress is fundamental to building inclusive and resilient societies. “Investing in science means investing in lasting peace, innovation, and a self-reliant future for all Afghans,” the delegation stated in a post on the social media platform X, reaffirming its commitment to supporting Afghan students, teachers, and academic institutions.

This appeal comes against a backdrop of a collapsing education system under the Taliban’s de facto authority. Since returning to power in 2021, the regime has enacted the most severe educational crackdown in the world, systematically barring girls from secondary schools and universities. This policy has effectively extinguished the educational aspirations of over one million young women, drawing widespread international condemnation.

A System in Peril: Warnings from the Ground

The EU’s statement aligns with recent alarming assessments from global bodies. A joint report by UNESCO and UNICEF describes Afghanistan’s education system as being in a “state of collapse,” citing a catastrophic exodus of qualified teachers, crumbling infrastructure, and the Taliban’s gender-based apartheid.

“The deliberate exclusion of women and girls from education is not only a gross human rights violation; it is an act of national self-sabotage,” said Dr. Anya Sharma, a senior researcher at the Center for Conflict and Development Studies. “A nation cannot hope to achieve peace or economic stability when it deliberately sidelines half of its intellectual capital. The consequences—deepened poverty, a crippled healthcare system, and stunted economic growth—will be felt for generations.”

The EU has been one of Afghanistan’s largest education donors for decades, funding critical programs in literacy, teacher training, and especially girls’ education across numerous provinces. However, the Taliban’s policies have severely hampered the delivery and impact of this aid, forcing international partners to recalibrate their approaches, often channeling support through off-budget mechanisms and non-governmental organizations to reach beneficiaries directly.

Broader International Condemnation and the Search for Leverage

The EU’s call echoes growing frustration from other quarters. The United Nations Security Council has repeatedly labeled the bans “a grave violation of human rights,” while the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has urged the Taliban to reverse course. Despite this unified diplomatic front, finding effective leverage remains a challenge.

“The international community is caught in a difficult position,” explained Michael Tan, a political analyst specializing in South Asia. “Humanitarian aid continues to flow to prevent famine, but development aid and diplomatic recognition are largely frozen. The Taliban seem to value their ideological stance on gender segregation over the incentives of international integration, making a breakthrough elusive.”

The EU reiterated its demand for the “immediate and unconditional reopening of schools for all girls,” urging the de facto authorities to view investment in science and education not as a concession, but as the foundational bedrock for Afghanistan’s future prosperity and social cohesion.

As World Science Day passes, the chasm between the international vision for Afghanistan—one of inclusion and innovation—and the Taliban’s restrictive regime grows ever wider, leaving the fate of a generation hanging in the balance.

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