The US special envoy for Afghanistan women and human rights has begun a trip to Indonesia, Switzerland and Turkey from December 5-12, the US Department of State said in a statement.

“Special Envoy Amiri will participate in the International Conference for Afghan Women’s Education co-hosted by the Governments of Indonesia and Qatar to support Afghan women and girls’ access to education,” the statement reads.

This comes as students called on the caretaker government to provide educational opportunities for them.

“We call on the international community and Islamic Emirate to continue our schooling and education as before so we can learn. If we were unable to study, half of our society will be uneducated,” said Fahima, a student.

“Women have lot of potential in the educational field in Afghanistan. The Islamic Emirate should take advantage of this potential in economic and educational development and other fields,” said Rohgul, a women’s rights defender.

Amiri will also consult with bilateral and multilateral partners, UN representatives, and Afghans, including women and civil society leaders, regarding the current human rights situation in Afghanistan, the statement reads.

The Islamic Emirate said that human rights are ensured in the country within an Islamic structure for all citizens.

“The human rights are ensured in our country within an Islamic format—all the citizens are provided with rights,” said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate.

Schools for female students above grade six have remained closed for more than 15 months and many girls have since engaged in other professions.