ISLAMABAD  —In a troubling development, Afghanistan remains the sole nation in the world to impose severe restrictions on female education, two years after the Taliban banned girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade. The issue of Afghan women and children's rights has taken center stage at the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.

The United Nations Children's agency estimates that over 1 million girls are directly impacted by this ban, although it's worth noting that approximately 5 million girls were already out of school before the Taliban's takeover due to various barriers, including a lack of educational facilities.

The Taliban's decision to halt girls' education beyond the sixth grade is grounded in their interpretation of Islamic law, or Sharia, which, as they claim, doesn't align with girls continuing their schooling.

Notably, they haven't imposed this restriction on boys. Their conservative stance on girls' education is partly influenced by 19th-century Islamic thought and the deeply entrenched tribalism in rural areas, as explained by regional expert Hassan Abbas.

While Islamic clerics from outside Afghanistan emphasize equal importance for female and male education in Islam, the Taliban remains unmoved by international appeals and efforts by organizations like the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

The consequences of this ban are far-reaching. It not only infringes on girls' rights but also has severe implications for all Afghans. Tens of thousands of teachers have lost their jobs, businesses tied to girls' education have suffered, and the country's economy is in turmoil. The exclusion of women from the job market has significant economic consequences, costing billions of dollars according to UNICEF.

Furthermore, the Taliban's focus on Islamic education through religious schools, known as madrassas, neglects contemporary and secular education, potentially creating a generation with limited skills for economic growth.

Beyond these economic concerns, public health and child protection are also at risk. Birth rates are higher among Afghan girls without secondary or higher education, and women's education plays a crucial role in basic immunization and preventing early marriages.

The international community has struggled to sway the Taliban's position, but pressure may need to come from within Afghanistan itself. Today, Afghans have more immediate concerns such as livelihoods and survival, but the desire for some form of international acceptance, if not recognition, to stimulate the economy could become a driving force.

In this evolving situation, public opinion within Afghanistan may hold the key to influencing the Taliban's stance on girls' education. While it currently affects only girls, the ban's consequences could potentially lead to broader unrest among Afghan men in the future, particularly if the economic and social repercussions intensify.