The United Nations press conference on March 8, 2025, highlighted urgent discussions surrounding girls' education in Afghanistan, emphasizing the critical role of Education Cannot Wait (ECW) in addressing educational needs in crisis situations. ECW, hosted by UNICEF, operates as the Global Fund for Education in Emergencies, focusing on joint programming and coordination to ensure effective use of resources and prevent corruption.

During the meeting, it was revealed that ECW has invested $30 million in a multi-year program aimed at providing education in the most underserved areas of Afghanistan. Notably, 65% of the beneficiaries of this program are girls and adolescent girls, demonstrating a commitment to breaking barriers to education in a challenging environment. The initiative has successfully reached over 100,000 individuals and trained 3,500 teachers in essential areas such as mental health, psychosocial support, and social-emotional learning.

The speaker urged strategic partners, including public and private sectors, to support these efforts and emphasized the importance of including women in rebuilding Afghanistan. The message was clear: to create a sustainable future, the Taliban must recognize the value of educating girls, who represent a vital part of the workforce needed for the country's recovery.

The conference concluded with a call to action for donors and partners to overcome existing barriers and invest in the education of girls in Afghanistan, reinforcing that progress is already being made despite the challenges. Education Cannot Wait is positioned as a key player in this ongoing effort, ensuring that education remains a priority even in the face of adversity.