Let's talk about a harsh reality that millions of girl’s worldwide face especially in Afghanistan. You see when conflicts and calamities hit, the devastation they bring is often a primary goal. Discrimination against girls is fueled by disempowerment, creating a daunting challenge. These girls encounter significant barriers to getting an education in conflict areas. It's a sad truth.
Armed conflict doesn't just affect the physical landscape; it also wreaks havoc on the educational opportunities of these young girls, impacting their ability to go to school and their overall well-being. In places hit by armed conflict or natural disasters, an astonishing 39 million girls and teenagers are left without access to quality education (Rodriguez). When you compare it to immigrant boys, refugee girls are only half as likely to attend school. In South Sudan, 72% of primary school-aged girls and 64% of boys in the same age group miss out on school (Rodriguez). Similarly, in Afghanistan, a whopping 70% of the 3.5 million kids who aren't in school are girls. That's a massive number.
When the Taliban leaders were in control, they banned many things, including education for girls, television, music and cinema. Men were made to grow beards and women had to wear burkas.
When the Taliban took power in August 2021, they announced that education for both boys and girls beyond the 6th grade would be suspended, but would resume after the Afghan new year. In March 23, 2022. The Taliban said that it needed time to revise the school curriculum so that it would better reflect Islamic values, and so that a female curriculum and school uniforms for women could be developed. The Taliban also ruled that only women could teach women’s classes in high schools and universities. It also announced that university courses could be coed, but that there would need to be a physical partition between the female and male students.
But here's the twist – these girls are showing remarkable resilience in the face of adversity.
In these conflict-affected communities, cultural traditions run deep, and they often favor boys' education over girls'. It's this age-old belief that investing in girls' education is somehow less valuable, a stereotype that depicts them as future homemakers. This gender bias is deeply rooted and systemic, restricting girls' access to quality education (Yount et al., 2018). When comparing this situation, it is evident that in Pakistan, numerous families restrict girls from pursuing education outside their hometown. I encountered This personal challenge when striving to continue my studies at LUMS.
It is challenging for girls in war zones to catch a break and go to a safe school. Why, you ask? Well, schools there are often in terrible shape or wholly wrecked in the worst cases. Furthermore, you cannot blame families for being worried sick about sending their girls to school. They're scared that violence or military strikes might happen at any moment. This fear keeps girls from getting the same shot at education. It's a challenging situation, no doubt about it.
The situation for women in Afghanistan is super challenging, all thanks to the Taliban. Ever since these guys regained control, they've come up with some pretty strict policies that seriously affect girls' education. One significant bummer move they pulled was banning teenage girls from going to school beyond the sixth grade. I mean, seriously? They think women should either be stuck at home or just disappear. It's a bleak outlook they've got going on.
Taliban was all like, "No school for you, girls!" They slapped a big fat ban on girls' education, effectively shutting the door on their learning journey. It's like they wanted to keep them in the dark ages. They also restrict the women's movement. Picture this: Women and girls couldn't leave their homes without a male chaperone. That's right, no solo trips to school or anywhere else. It was like living in a real-life version of "Groundhog Day," without Bill Murray's charm. The Taliban insisted on this whole-body covering deal, known as the burqa. Girls and women had to wear it everywhere, making it tricky to get around and even more challenging to read the books. Who wants to study in a tent-like outfit, anyway? Yes, it's okay if someone is wearing an abaya of her own will, but why are they forcing them?
Despite these immense challenges, there are glimmers of hope. Several local and international organizations are working tirelessly to provide girls in Afghanistan with access to education. These initiatives offer scholarships, build safe schools, and work with communities to challenge stereotypes and encourage families to send their daughters to school.
Malala Yousafzai, the youngest-ever Nobel laureate, once said: "Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world."
We couldn't agree more. The journey to educate girls in conflict zones takes a lot of work. Still, the resilience and determination of these young students are truly inspiring. Their pursuit of knowledge and a better future is a testament to the strength of the human spirit.
So, the next time you hear about the challenges girls face in conflict zones like Afghanistan, remember that people and organizations are working tirelessly to bring education to these brave young minds. And maybe you'll be inspired to join this movement for change.
