Afghanistan’s new Taliban rulers say they hope to be able to open all schools for girls across the country after late March, their spokesman told News Men, offering the first timeline for addressing a key demand of the international community.
Since the Taliban takeover in mid-August, girls in most of Afghanistan have not been allowed back to school beyond grade 7.
The international community, hesitant to formally recognize a Taliban-run administration, is wary they could impose similar harsh measures as during their previous rule 20 years ago.
At the time, women were banned from education, work and public life.
Zabihullah Mujahid, who is also the Taliban’s deputy minister of culture and information, said their education departments are looking to open classrooms for all girls and women following the Afghan New Year, which starts on March 21.