Edited by Umar-Mark Victor
Source; UNESCO
A Nation Denied: The Plight of Afghan Girls and Women
Introduction
Three years after the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan, the country stands as a stark outlier in the global educational landscape. While most nations have strived to ensure equitable access to education, Afghanistan has regressed, particularly for girls and women. The de facto authorities have imposed a nationwide ban on secondary and higher education for females, leaving 1.4 million girls deprived of their right to learn. This unprecedented measure has not only curtailed the educational aspirations of countless young women but has also set back the progress made in recent decades.
The Growing Number of Girls Out of School
The number of Afghan girls denied access to education has steadily increased since the Taliban takeover. As more girls reach the age of 12, the threshold for secondary education, they are increasingly excluded from the classroom. This has resulted in a staggering 80% of school-age girls being deprived of their right to learn. The situation is exacerbated by the fact that many girls were already out of school before the ban was imposed, leaving an even larger number of young women without educational opportunities.
The Impact on Primary Education
The ban on secondary education has had a ripple effect on primary education as well. The de facto authorities' decision to prohibit female teachers from teaching boys has exacerbated the teacher shortage, leading to a decline in primary school enrollment. Parents are also less likely to send their children to school in the face of increasing economic hardship, further contributing to the drop-out rate.
The Consequences for Higher Education
The ban on female education has also had a devastating impact on higher education. The number of students enrolled in universities has decreased by half since 2021, leaving the country facing a severe shortage of graduates trained for highly-skilled jobs. This will only exacerbate the development challenges Afghanistan already faces.
UNESCO's Efforts to Support Alternative Learning
In response to the crisis, UNESCO has been working tirelessly to provide alternative learning opportunities for Afghan girls and women. The organization has established programs in 20 provinces, training over 1,000 facilitators to deliver literacy courses. These courses have benefited over 55,000 young people, primarily girls, in nearly 1,900 villages.
UNESCO has also expanded its efforts to neighboring countries, such as Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Iran, to support Afghan refugees and displaced populations. The organization has established training centers for Afghan teachers and provided distance learning opportunities through radio and television.
The Need for International Action
While UNESCO's efforts are commendable, they cannot fully compensate for the loss of formal education. The international community must remain united in its demand for the unconditional reopening of schools and universities to Afghan girls and women. The right to education is a fundamental human right that cannot be negotiated or compromised.
Conclusion
The situation in Afghanistan is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by girls and women in many parts of the world. The Taliban's decision to ban female education is a grave violation of human rights and a setback for the progress made in recent decades. It is imperative that the international community continues to advocate for the restoration of girls' and women's right to education in Afghanistan and works to ensure that similar tragedies do not occur elsewhere.
For more Information visit www.unesco.org
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