Statement of concern for education of women in Afghanistan

The IUCr is indignant about the recent action of the authorities in Afghanistan to ban women from participating in university education. Education is a staple of the modern world, and preventing girls and women of any country from participating in the learning process will lead to more inequity in the world.

Since the IUCr was created 75 years ago, we have always cared deeply about creating equal opportunities for men and women. This commitment was stressed once more recently in the IUCr Gender Equity and Diversity statement.

We unite with and support the ISC statement deploring the exclusion of women from university education in Afghanistan.

In accordance with making this statement, the IUCr intends to encourage and support Afghan women scientists to take part in our schools and programmes.