Following widespread reactions over the closure of girls' schools, today a group of women in a gathering in Kabul asked the Islamic Emirate to reopen girls’ schools above the sixth grade across the country.

“They should know (Islamic Emirate) that we will continue in this way until the gates of schools reopen for girls,” said Nazia Sahar, a protesting woman.

“If this gathering is eliminated, another girl will stand up and will continue in this way till they get their rights,” said Shahla Arefi, another protesting woman.

The protesters criticized the absence of women in the three-day “Gathering of Islamic Clerics” which was held in the Loya Jirga Hall in Kabul, and urged the international community to do something for the rights of women in Afghanistan.

“Don’t hide the right to education of women, and don’t use women for political privilege,” said Ai Noor Uzbek, one of the protesters.

“Since the Islamic Emirate came to power, we all know that no women have been involved or have had roles in society. They have not been allowed to go to school or work,” said Ramzia, a woman at the gathering.

Some of the participants asked the Islamic Emirate to find a way to educate women in the country.

“Today’s girls are the mothers of children of the future, if they are educated then our future will be bright,” said Hakim Hekmatyar, a participant at the gathering.

“We ask the Islamic Emirate to provide women with their rights,” said Mohammad Reza, a participant at the gathering.

It has been 289 days since girls above sixth grade have not been allowed to attend school, and it is not clear what will happen to their fate.