International reporting
Education at risk in Afghanistan
Audio 02:38
An empty classroom at a Shiite school in Kabul, Afghanistan, July 31, 2022. Most young Afghan women haven't set foot in class for a year.
© AP - Ebrahim Noroozi
By: Clea Broadhurst Follow
4 mins
Since the Taliban came to power a year ago, they have imposed strict regulations, especially regarding the education of young girls.
They can no longer access secondary education.
Furthermore, the humanitarian organization Save the Children estimates that more than 45% of girls do not go to primary school, compared to 20% of boys.
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From our special correspondent,
In a small classroom in Kabul, a dozen students, girls and boys under ten, all mixed together, are studious.
They rise in unison to greet their school teacher.
The rise to power of the Taliban has changed the destiny of young girls in the country.
"
We are not allowed to go to school from middle school
," says Asma, eight years old, shy, but still strong-willed.
His dream ?
To become a doctor.
“
There are chances that I cannot study to become a doctor.
We are sad and disappointed not to be able to continue studying
.
»
Adela, her teacher, considers herself lucky to be able to continue teaching in this private establishment.
But she struggles to find a way to reassure her students about their future.
"
We are of course disappointed for our students, we would like them to be able to resume their studies
," she said.
Looking uncertain, she adds: “
All women are afraid of being banned from working for good, we all have that in mind, because it is difficult to have confidence in this situation.
»
"Home orders"
In the next class, some boys are taking religion lessons.
One of them, Abasseen, aged nine, explains that his two older sisters are no longer studying.
“
My family doesn't let them go to school
,” he says.
“
We are a somewhat conservative family and we are men.
According
to the young boy, his sisters tell him that they would like to study: “
I am sad for them, why should they be illiterate?
»
►
To read also: "The Taliban buried the hope of young Afghan women by ringing the school bell"
This is the question that many women ask themselves.
Maliha was the head of the Women's Accounting Institute in Kabul, a gender equality officer and a professor of law.
She hasn't done any of that for a year now.
"
I don't think the schools are going to reopen for women
," she said, her tone desperate.
“
There is no real hope because when the Taliban were in power 20 years ago, all the schools were closed.
A year ago, we might have hoped that would change, but today, we have no hope at all.
Now we stay at home, we are not allowed to study, to teach, to go outside.
We are housebound.
»
This change of government has dangerous consequences for the mental well-being of young girls.
According
to studies conducted by Save the Children
over the past year, 26% of girls show signs of depression, compared to 16% of boys, and 27% of girls show signs of anxiety, compared to 18% of boys.
An uncertain future
Baher oversees this private complex which brings together primary, secondary and university schools.
According to him, it is necessary to adapt to the situation as best as possible in order to be able to continue to offer education to future generations.
This situation may only be temporary, he hopes.
"
In the schools that the government runs, there are problems, the managers are not able to pay certain salaries, they lack teachers
," he explains.
“
Stricter methods have been put in place since the arrival of the Taliban.
These are things that have had a negative impact on students, teachers.
If the situation persists, there will be serious consequences.
But we must keep hope
.
»
Some members of the Taliban movement are in favor of girls going back to school, either because they see no religious objection to it, or because they want to improve their international relations.
Others, especially rural elders who form the backbone of the movement, strongly oppose it.
►
Also to listen: In Afghanistan, what resistance for women?
The bell rings, Mohammad, a 13-year-old student, gets up from his chair.
For him, this prohibition is incomprehensible.
“
They also have the right to have an education and a bright future ahead of them
,” says the determined young man.
“
Today, their future is uncertain.
Girls should go back to school, because all men and women must work together for our country.
It's really cruel and it's going to ruin the future of the country.
»
Courses at home are multiplying, others online are also available.
Women use detours that were once unthinkable in an attempt to claim a fundamental right.
But for that, you still have to have the means to do it.
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Afghanistan
Education
Womens rights
Children's rights
Taliban