With the closure of schools in Afghanistan, the mental health of female students has been profoundly affected. This lack of access to higher education has engendered despair, anxiety, and even depression among this segment of society.
Setayesh is a female student who has endured a challenging period of depression following the closure of girls’ schools and confinement to her home.
“I felt as though I couldn’t breathe; I believed was imprisoned with no escape, and each day I lost hope more than the last. Although I am still not very optimistic about the future, I endured a severe bout of depression in the initial months following the school closures. I wish all these restrictions would be lifted, allowing us to study once more,” Setayesh said.
Over the past three years, girls in Afghanistan have faced psychological challenges due to imposed work restrictions, and the closure of schools and universities, which have largely confined them to their homes. They report that they have lost motivation and hope for life.
Shabnam, another female student deprived of attending school, says, ‘I am overwhelmed by all these challenges; I can no longer bear the inability to go to school and remain at home from dawn until dusk. I am utterly exhausted by the life we lead in Afghanistan, and even consulting a psychologist has not improved my mental state.’
Asma Amini, a psychologist, believes that the absence of schooling for girls in Afghanistan can have profound and far-reaching consequences that impact their personal and social development. The lack of access to education not only affects their future potential but also has negative repercussions for society as a whole.
”A significant factor in this issue is the adverse effect on girls’ self-esteem and self-worth. The absence of education can lead to feelings of worthlessness and inadequacy in their social and communication skills.”
Although girls in Afghanistan have consistently faced numerous social challenges throughout various governments, in the past three years, the situation has become more restrictive than ever, leaving them deprived of even their most basic rights.
- نویسنده : Afghanistan Women News Agency
- منبع خبر : Afghanistan Women News Agency
