Ministers Foley and Harris co-sign joint statement to promote equal access to education for Afghan women and girls

At today’s meeting of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (EYCS) in Brussels, the Presidency welcomed a Joint Statement by the Ministers of Education on the situation of women in Afghanistan in relation to the right to education.

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD and Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD were pleased to join fellow Minsters with responsibility for education in issuing a statement which recorded the concerns of all EU Members States at the violations to the human rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, in particular their right to access to education and training by Afghan women and girls.

Minister Foley said:

"The human rights situation in Afghanistan is a cause of great concern. The right to education is a fundmental right. Education plays a central role in nurturing the minds of children and young people and it transforms the life opportunities that are available to them. Education is both a right and an investment in our children's future and must be inclusive for all children.

"The signing of the joint statement by Ministers for Education across all 27 Member States demonstrates our shared commitment to promoting equal access to education for Afghan women and girls. We will maintain our engagement to ensure that these vulnerable Afghan women and girls' voices are heard."

Minister Harris stated:

"Last August, I spoke with Commissioner Gabriel about my serious concerns on this issue, and pressed for coordinated action on the part of the EU. I am delighted that the Slovenian Presidency has secured the commitment from all 27 Member States on this fundamental human right for Afghan women and girls. There should never be any gender-based restrictions on access to education, and it is the responsibility of all right thinking governments to ensure this does not take place. I hope the solidarity displayed by the 27 Member States sends a clear signal to the Afghan Government that it should reverse any policies in this regard."

The final agreed text of the letter is below:

We are gravely concerned by the violations of the human rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, particularly the severe restrictions on the education rights of Afghan women and girls. The exclusion of women and girls from the public sphere is jeopardising the positive changes achieved over the last two decades and has serious consequences for wider society as well as the individuals whose rights are being denied.

Education is a fundamental human right, enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, endorsed also by Afghanistan. Every person in Afghanistan has the right to education. Equal access to education is a cornerstone of universal values, including freedom of expression, the principle of non-discrimination and gender equality.

Equal access to education benefits wider society. Education is also an investment in the future, which promotes the well-being of individuals and the overall progress of our societies. Education helps fight social exclusion and reduce poverty. Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all is one of the Sustainable Development Goals, which were also endorsed by Afghanistan.

Afghanistan cannot compromise on the right to education, as to do so would compromise its own future. Women and girls in Afghanistan should not be subjected to discrimination or any form of limitation of their right to education.

We call on those in positions of power and authority across Afghanistan to guarantee, in words and deeds, the right to education of Afghan women and girls across all levels of education, to ensure their right to participate in, complete and benefit from quality education without discrimination, and to ensure that female educators may carry on their professions.

We will continue to follow closely the human rights situation of women and girls in Afghanistan, including the upholding of their right to education. We will do everything in our power to promote an equal access to education for Afghan women and girls, and prevent any form of human rights violation or discrimination in this area.