10/24/2026
Afghanistan Women’s Political Participation Network (AWPPN)
SOLIDARITY STATEMENT
In Solidarity with Azerbaijani Girls Facing Restrictions on Education Due to Hijab
The Afghanistan Women’s Political Participation Network (AWPPN), firmly committed to the principles of human rights, justice, equality, and human dignity, expresses its solidarity and support for Azerbaijani girls who face restrictions on their access to education in connection with regulations concerning the wearing of hijab.
We believe that no girl should be denied her fundamental right to education because of her clothing, religious beliefs, or identity. No student should be forced to choose between pursuing an education and remaining faithful to her personal beliefs. Education is a fundamental human right, and equal access to educational opportunities must be guaranteed without discrimination.
The Afghanistan Women’s Political Participation Network deeply understands the harm that discrimination and exclusion inflict upon girls. Our solidarity is also rooted in the painful experiences of girls in Afghanistan, who have been deprived of access to secondary and high school education following the Taliban’s return to power, simply because they are girls. The denial of education to Afghan girls, alongside the restrictions faced by girls in different parts of the world, demonstrates the urgent need for sustained, global, and collective efforts to protect the rights of women and girls.
We call upon the relevant authorities and institutions to respect fundamental human rights, ensure equal access to education for girls, take the concerns of students and their families seriously, and prevent policies and practices that result in educational exclusion and discrimination. Education must never become a tool for exclusion or force girls into impossible choices. Instead, it must serve as a pathway to knowledge, personal development, independence, and equal participation in society.
The Afghanistan Women’s Political Participation Network also expresses its solidarity with all girls and women around the world who are deprived of their fundamental rights because of their gender, clothing, beliefs, or social circumstances. We believe that the suffering of girls in Afghanistan, the concerns of girls in Azerbaijan, and the struggles of women worldwide for equality are interconnected parts of a shared human demand: the right to education, freedom of conscience, human dignity, and equal opportunities.
We stand with Azerbaijani girls and raise our voices in support of their right to education, freedom of choice, and human dignity. No girl should be denied education because of her hijab or gender. Education is a right, not a privilege. Defending the rights of girls is a universal human responsibility.
With respect and solidarity,
Afghanistan Women’s Political Participation Network (AWPPN)
