World News | Taliban Say Afghan Girls Will Return to Secondary Schools Soon

Kabul [Afghanistan], October 18 (ANI): Amid widespread criticism over human rights issues in Afghanistan, the Taliban has said girls will be allowed to return to secondary schools soon.

A spokesperson for Afghanistan's interior ministry on Sunday said that the exact timing will be announced by the Ministry of Education, Al Jazeera reported.

Also Read | Afghanistan Crisis: Afghans Struggling To Cope With Winter Season Amid Price Hike.

"From my understanding and information, in a very short time all the universities and schools will be reopened and all the girls and women will return to school and their teaching jobs," spokesperson Saeed Khosty said.

Last month, the Ministry of Education of Afghanistan, led by the Taliban had resumed all secondary schools. However, the directive only mentions the male students, making no reference to a return date for girls.

Also Read | Bangladesh Communal Violence: ISKCON Calls Upon Sheikh Hasina Govt To Ensure Minorities' Safety.

The Taliban announced an interim government in September, with a slew of promises, assuring not to repeat the policies of the previous Taliban regime (1996-2001).

However, reports coming from the ground say differently. According to media reports, women are being barred from going to work, and scores of them have demonstrated to demand their rights to employment and education.

The spokesperson "indicated that it was imminent that girls in secondary schools and their female teachers would be returning very soon," according to Al Jazeera.

Earlier this month, UN chief Antonio Guterres had said that the Taliban should deliver on their promises to observe the rights of women and girls.

"Since their takeover, the Taliban have - at various times - promised Afghan citizens -- including women, children, minority communities, former government employees -- that they would protect their rights," the UN chief had said. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)