Afghanistan's government backtracked on an attempt to ban schoolgirls over the age of 12 from reciting poems or singing at public events after a public outcry and criticism from cultural figures and human rights campaigners.
Days after critics said a directive sent to schools in Kabul, the capital, marked a backwards step on girls' rights, the Ministry of Education said it was committed to allowing all pupils – boys and girls - to take part in cultural and sporting activities.
It said the memo had been issued by the head of Kabul's education directorate and "does not reflect the policy of the Ministry of Education".
"The Ministry of Education is addressing the issue and afterwards the evaluation of the findings will be shared with citizens," the ministry said in a statement on March 13.
Last week's memo came as the government negotiates a power-sharing deal with the Taliban and critics said it recalled rules imposed by the extremist group that banned girls from school.
The ministry originally defended the measure on the grounds that parents had asked for their daughters to be excluded from public performances and said some pupils had complained that such commitments hindered their studies.
The memo said girl pupils aged 12 and over would be permitted to read poetry or sing only at all-female gatherings.
Under the Taliban, singing was banned in public, but since the end of the group's rule in 2001, groups of girls and boys revived the tradition of reciting well-known poems and singing anthems at school events or on national days.
The country's independent human rights commission, which was among the organisations that spoke out against the ministry's directive, said public pressure had prompted the about-face.
"The protests from various quarters forced the Ministry of Education to reconsider its decision, but questions and concerns remain in regard to human rights, particularly women and children's rights," said spokesman Zabihullah Farhang.
"We are especially concerned about human rights in regard to the ongoing peace process [with the Taliban]," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.
Among the well-known cultural figures who criticised the ban was Ahmad Sarmast, founding director of the country's national music institute, who launched the #IAmMySong social media protest campaign.
He urged the campaign's supporters to stay alert until the ministry issued a new decree officially reversing the ban.
"We should not rest until [the] needed decree is issued. Back to action in full force," Mr Sarmast, who also established a national women's orchestra, tweeted on Monday.
The effort to restrict schoolgirls' cultural activities comes amid increasing violence in Afghanistan, mainly assassinations of rights defenders, journalists and civilian government employees – many of them women.
Foreign donors poured billions of dollars into Afghanistan in the past two decades to help create a more open and equal society, and the ministry's move sparked international concern.
A spokesman for Britain's Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office said last week it was "seeking clarification from the Afghan Ministry of Education on these reports and any potential implications for UK-funded education work".
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
Emiratisation at work
Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago
It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.
Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers
The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension
President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.
During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development
More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics
The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens
UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere
The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens
'The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas are Setting up a Generation for Failure'
Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, Penguin Randomhouse
The National photo project
Chris Whiteoak, a photographer at The National, spent months taking some of Jacqui Allan's props around the UAE, positioning them perfectly in front of some of the country's most recognisable landmarks. He placed a pirate on Kite Beach, in front of the Burj Al Arab, the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland at the Burj Khalifa, and brought one of Allan's snails (Freddie, which represents her grandfather) to the Dubai Frame. In Abu Dhabi, a dinosaur went to Al Ain's Jebel Hafeet. And a flamingo was taken all the way to the Hatta Mountains. This special project suitably brings to life the quirky nature of Allan's prop shop (and Allan herself!).
Day 5, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day When Dilruwan Perera dismissed Yasir Shah to end Pakistan’s limp resistance, the Sri Lankans charged around the field with the fevered delirium of a side not used to winning. Trouble was, they had not. The delivery was deemed a no ball. Sri Lanka had a nervy wait, but it was merely a stay of execution for the beleaguered hosts.
Stat of the day – 5 Pakistan have lost all 10 wickets on the fifth day of a Test five times since the start of 2016. It is an alarming departure for a side who had apparently erased regular collapses from their resume. “The only thing I can say, it’s not a mitigating excuse at all, but that’s a young batting line up, obviously trying to find their way,” said Mickey Arthur, Pakistan’s coach.
The verdict Test matches in the UAE are known for speeding up on the last two days, but this was extreme. The first two innings of this Test took 11 sessions to complete. The remaining two were done in less than four. The nature of Pakistan’s capitulation at the end showed just how difficult the transition is going to be in the post Misbah-ul-Haq era.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
