The new school year in Afghanistan has begun, yet over 2.2 million girls remain barred from secondary education, according to UNICEF.

Initially, the Taliban claimed that the suspension of girls' secondary education would be temporary, but this marks the fourth consecutive year that schools for these girls have remained closed.

If the ban continues until 2030, it is estimated that over four million girls will be deprived of education beyond primary school, leading to catastrophic consequences for their futures.

Afghanistan stands as the only country in the world that prohibits secondary and higher education for girls, a decision justified by the Taliban's interpretation of Sharia law.

While some private institutes offer limited educational opportunities for girls, primarily in foreign languages, these do not replace formal schooling.

Catherine Russell, UNICEF's executive director, has emphasized that the ongoing denial of education to Afghan girls will have long-lasting repercussions for generations.

Secret schools for girls have emerged since the Taliban's takeover, but attending them poses significant risks for both teachers and students' families.

The Taliban government recently skipped a global conference where Malala Yousafzai condemned the gender rights situation in Afghanistan, labeling it as gender apartheid.

In Herat, a 14-year-old girl named Parwana expressed her aspiration to become a doctor but has been unable to attend school for two years, now resorting to a sewing course instead.

The education ban not only affects girls' futures but also increases the risk of child marriage and negatively impacts the country's health system and economy.

Russell warned that the reduction in female healthcare professionals could lead to an estimated 1,600 additional maternal deaths and over 3,500 child fatalities.

Even the Taliban's deputy foreign minister criticized the education ban as un-Islamic earlier this year, although he has reportedly fled the country since.