Nasir Ahmad Faiq: Taliban Policies Have Left Afghanistan's Youth Facing a Dark Future

He made these remarks during the 63rd session of the United Nations Commission for Social Development, held in New York.

Faiq emphasized that Afghanistan, 30 years after the Copenhagen Declaration, is experiencing one of the most severe social and economic crises in its history—a crisis that has plunged millions into poverty and excluded women and girls from public life.

Highlighting the importance of education as the foundation of social and economic progress, Faiq said that this infrastructure is being systematically destroyed in Afghanistan.

He described the deprivation of Afghan girls and women from education and work as "gender apartheid," adding that this is not only a human rights catastrophe but also an economic crisis. He stressed, "No country can develop when half of its population is sidelined."

Faiq also pointed to the ban on girls' education in medical institutes, warning that this new restriction will endanger countless lives and increase maternal mortality rates.

Criticizing the Taliban's policies, Faiq said that instead of investing in science, technology, technical skills, and innovation, the group is expanding religious schools that foster isolation and extremism.

He added, "If we do not act, the next generation of Afghanistan will be one without critical thinking, without opportunities, and without hope. We must provide access to quality education, modern skills, and economic opportunities to secure Afghanistan's future."

The acting representative of Afghanistan at the United Nations called on the international community not to remain indifferent to the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. He emphasized that the people of Afghanistan, especially women, girls, and youth, must not be forgotten.