Advocacy Beyond School Reopening; A Critique of the Roots of the Regime in Afghanistan

Kabul Times News | Author: Raheel Talash

Protests have real meaning and impact when they target the roots of oppression and discrimination, not just one of its consequences.

The Taliban have not only closed the doors of schools and universities; they have also, according to many critics, imposed a gender-based structure and extensive social and political restrictions on Afghanistan. Depriving women and girls of education and employment is just one of the policies that has faced widespread domestic and international criticism.

In such circumstances, limiting the appeals solely to the demand for the reopening of schools and universities, from the perspective of some analysts, may create the impression that by fulfilling this demand, other existing issues and challenges are being ignored. For this reason, they believe that demands should go beyond a specific issue and target the roots of restrictive structures.

From this perspective, the fundamental rights of citizens should not become privileges that can be granted or revoked by a government, but rather these rights should be recognized as fundamental and inalienable rights of all human beings.

This view also emphasizes that even if educational restrictions are reduced in the future, education can only contribute to the development of society if it is provided in a free, independent space based on accepted human rights principles; otherwise, the education system may become a tool for reproducing the same restrictive views.

According to this analysis, effective advocacy requires a transparent, grassroots approach based on defending the fundamental rights of citizens; an approach that is not limited to opposing a policy or decision, but also examines and criticizes the structures that, in the eyes of critics, have led to discrimination, restrictions, and violations of fundamental human rights.

Note: This article is an analysis and opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the editorial position of Kabul Times News.