Women’s and Girls Education in the UK V.S Afghanistan

1.      Article 26, Everyone has the right to go to school.

- Why education is important for human rights.

Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that everyone has the right to free and compulsory education. It ensures that education supports the full development of each person. Education is essential both for individual growth and for creating a fair, peaceful, and informed society.

2.      Education for girls in Afghanistan.

- Taliban restrictions on girls’ education.

- Consequences, limited future.

The Taliban in Afghanistan have banned women and girls from secondary and higher education, violating Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees education for all. In contrast, the United Kingdom provides free and equal access to education at all levels, regardless of age, gender, or background.

3.      Malala Yousufzai.

- Who she is, and her story.

Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist and the youngest Nobel Peace Prize winner, is known for defending girls’ right to education. At age 11 she wrote about Taliban restrictions on girls’ schooling, and in 2012 she was shot for speaking out. Her story highlights how denying girls education violates Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

4.      Comparison with the UK.

- Girls have full access to education.

- Opportunities for women.

According to Oxford Royale Academy, girls in the UK have full and legally protected access to education at all levels. Educational reforms have expanded opportunities for women, and today they benefit from equal rights, strong legal protections, and broad social support. This shows how the UK upholds Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by ensuring education that is accessible and free from discrimination.

5.      Why this violates article 26.

- How the Taliban breaks the right to education for women.

- How the UK protects the right to education for women.

The Taliban’s ban on higher education for girls in Afghanistan violates Article 26 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees free and compulsory education for all. Girls are often barred from secondary and higher education, which in turn limits their opportunities in the future. In contrast, the United Kingdom protects girls’ education through legal guarantees, such ass policies supporting female participation.

6.      Effects on women in Afghanistan.

- Society losing talent and progress.

- Mental health.

Banning girls’ education not only limits their future but also harms society by wasting talent, skills, and potential contributions, slowing social and economic progress. It also negatively affects mental health, causing feelings of frustration and helplessness among women affected by the ban.

7.      Conclusion.

- Summary of the difference between Afghanistan and the UK.

The denial of education to girls in Afghanistan violates Article 26 by preventing their access to free and compulsory schooling, limiting their growth and opportunities. In contrast, girls in the UK have full, legally protected access to education, ensuring equality and participation in society. This highlights how Afghanistan restricts basic rights, while the UK shows how education can empower girls and promote equality.