The OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group and OSCE participating States met on 9 March in Vienna to explore the long-term impact of girls' and women's education bans on the comprehensive security and stability of Afghanistan and the broader region.
Chaired by Finland in its role as Chair of the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group, the meeting brought together senior representatives, experts, and international partners to address how the systematic exclusion of women and girls from secondary and higher education has evolved from a human rights concern into a structural challenge with profound long-term implications for Afghanistan's stability and regional security.
"Afghanistan is the only country in the world where women and girls are banned from secondary and higher education. The restriction violates the rights of girls and women in Afghanistan and have serious negative impacts on their future, but also wider national and regional consequences. We urge the Taliban to reverse these restrictions, respect human rights and allow women and girls full, equal and meaningful participation in public life," said Ambassador Vesa Häkkinen, Permanent Representative of Finland to the OSCE and Chairperson of the OSCE Asian Partners for Co-operation Group.
"Support for women-led organizations providing education, literacy, and protection services remains vital. Equally important is the meaningful inclusion of Afghan women in international discussions concerning Afghanistan's future-their perspectives and leadership are indispensable for sustainable solutions," advocated Ambassador Manizha Bakhtari, Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to Austria, OSCE, UN and other International Organizations.
In his keynote address, Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Afghanistan, emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive international response to the long‑term exclusion of girls and women from education. "I'm advocating for an 'all tools' approach, recognizing there is not one single action that will resolve the situation. This includes a range of accountability measures, as well as my plea to UN member states to link normalization of engagement with the Taliban to concrete improvements in human rights, especially for women and girls. Support to civil society and alternative education pathways, especially for women and girls, is crucial, as is humanitarian aid and assistance to refugees and Afghans in exile."
Panellists highlighted that the restrictions on education weaken human capital, undermine social cohesion and long-term development, entrenches poverty and threaten sustainable peace, stability and prosperity. It was clearly noted that the repercussions of these bans extend far beyond Afghanistan's borders. Long-term restrictions threaten regional security, economic stability and increase cross-border security risks. Neighbouring countries face growing pressures from displacement, reduced regional connectivity, and the spread of radical ideologies.
The meeting underscored the importance of women's participation in development as a foundation for peace, in line with the 2004 OSCE Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality. The OSCE continues to support resilience through the OSCE Women's Peace Leadership Programme and the Repository Programme for the "Response to the Implications of Afghanistan for the OSCE Region".
The meeting concluded with a forward-looking exchange on how OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation can strengthen support for access to education, and counter the systemic exclusion of women and girls to ensure a more stable and secure region.
