"Afghan schoolgirls not allowed back." The only country in the world where you see this headline. #LetAfghanGirlsLearn #Afghanistan

German ambassador-designate Markus Potzel tweeted that girls’ schools beyond grade 6 remaining closed is not only a blow for Afghan girls who want to study and pursue careers, but it also contradicts the previous announcements made by the Islamic Emirate. #TOLOnews

“Mum, they didn't let me enter my school. They're saying girls aren't allowed" Hopes and dreams shattered once again for millions of Afghan girls left in tears and devastated by the continued Taliban ban Yalda Hakim

The failure by Taliban authorities to reopen schools for girls above 6th grade is profoundly disappointing & damaging for Afghanistan. I urge the de facto authorities to open schools for all students without any further delay. bit.ly/3qr2sTq

A Tolo News broadcaster weeps during live program when asked a woman about global reaction to Taliban's move for barring girls from going to school beyond class six.

How can we not cry?

Afghanistan named world's unhappiest country; a place where teenage girls are banned from school, women are hauled off planes if they don't have a male chaperone and where you can only visit parks with your children when the authorities give you permission

UNAMA is deeply concerned with today’s announcement by the Taliban that all women must cover their faces in public, should only leave their homes in cases of necessity, & that violations will lead to the punishment of their male relatives. Full statement: bit.ly/3ylUf7K

Promises made, promises broken! The #Taliban’s recent announcement that all #Afghan women must cover their faces in public & only leave homes ‘in cases of necessity’ is a violation of women & girls' fundamental #HumanRights & contradicts the Taliban's numerous assurances.

The UN's Special Envoy for Afghanistan Deborah Lyons has had more meetings with Taliban leaders than any other western official since they took power. "It is very important that we meet with them on a regular basis, and engage them in dialogue," she says.

A final thought from Afghanistan:

#freeherface #afghanwomen TOLOnews

florida high school class president zander moricz was told by his school that they would cut his microphone if he said “gay” in his grad speech, so he replaced gay with “having curly hair.” i am in awe

Ahead of SRSG Deborah Lyons’s departure, she held today a farewell meeting with members of diplomatic corps and regional organizations. It was an occasion to share experiences & lessons learnt over the last two years and point out the important work that lies ahead for all.

The UNAMA head and senior officials, including Dr. Ramiz Alakbarov, highlighted the importance of engagement & cooperation of regional countries and organizations in improving the political, humanitarian and economic situation of #Afghanistan and the lives of Afghan women and men.

Today, UN Special Representative Deborah Lyons held her farewell meeting with Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, upon his return to #Kabul, highlighting the importance of inclusion, counter-terrorism and the key role of the region in shaping #Afghanistan's future.

Today's farewell meeting of UNAMA head Deborah Lyons with Al Hajj Sirajuddin Haqqani Ministry of Interior Affairs- Afghanistan focused on counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, strengthening cooperation for humanitarian operations & response to the recent cholera/watery diarrhea outbreak in #Afghanistan.

Yesterday in Dubai, United Nations Special Envoy Deborah Lyons met w/ members of #Afghan business diaspora to discuss the challenges posed by the current economic situation in #Afghanistan & the critical role of the private sector in promoting growth & creating jobs for Afghan women & men

"I leave convinced that the best hope lies in an engagement strategy that demonstrates to the de facto authorities that a system that excludes women, minorities, and talented people will not endure," says the outgoing UNAMA head, Deborah Lyons. More👉 bit.ly/3tG1gwR