Afghanistan: More attacks on schools for girls

These incidents mark an escalation of violence against girls’ schools in Afghanistan. At least eight other girls’ schools have been attacked over the last two months, with the most recent explosion at a school in Kandahar injuring a teacher. Hand-written were distributed in Kandahar, the former Taliban stronghold, in April warning of violence to come if women took on jobs or attended school. Seven other girls’ schools have also been targets of violence, including a school in the Wardak province that was forced to close earlier this month. In addition, two schools in the northern provinces were burned to the ground and three in the southeastern province of Zabul.