Afghanistan, March 26 -- Former President Hamid Karzai has warned that continued restrictions on girls' education and women's employment could seriously damage Afghanistan's stability and future progress.
In a message marking the start of the new school year, Karzai congratulated students and described the ringing of the school bell as a symbol of fresh hope for the country's future.
He said education for all Afghan children, both girls and boys, is a basic pillar of development, self-reliance and a life of dignity.
Karzai said the continued exclusion of girls from school and the restrictions imposed on women's work are weakening society and making Afghanistan more vulnerable to deeper crises.
He called on the authorities to reopen scho...