Great strides have been taken in empowering Afghan women since the ousting of the Taliban just over a decade ago, most notably in the form of education. The statistics tell an encouraging story, with the number of girls in school increasing from a mere 5,000 in 2001 to 2.7 million last year. A standout figure in this success story is Sakena Yacoobi, the founder of the Afghan Institute of Women, an organization that has taught over a quarter of a million students and trained almost 20,000 teachers since 1996.
However, in a 2011 survey conducted by the Asia Foundation, a quarter of respondents highlighted illiteracy and the lack of education as the biggest problem facing women in Afghanistan – clearly there remains much to be done. And with US troops leaving, the question of what comes next looms large. Despite a statement by Afghanistan’s Minister of Education that the Taliban would no longer oppose girls’ education, prior treatment of women under Taliban rule leads Yacoobi to distrust this claim. In a Council on Foreign Relations article from earlier this year she said, “I’m scared for the [future of] my programs.”
What lies ahead for the education of women and girls in Afghanistan? Will Yacoobi’s work continue to flourish or will her teaching be driven back underground? I believe that, whatever happens, she will not give up, and I look forward to hearing her share her experience at the Council next week. I’m sure it will be a truly inspirational conversation.
I loved this program! Ms. Yacoobi is a spark plug. I can’t believe she went from 3-15,000 students in one year! Her work gives me hope for Afghanistan and I hope the world won’t turn its back on this amazing country.
There is an organization called “Trust in Education” run by a wonderful man named Bud MacKenzie out of his home in Lafayette. He collects clothing, toys, and school supplies, among other things, and has arranged for the US military to take these things along when they have space on flights to Afghanistan. Please go to the web site if you are interested in learning about this organization which has built and supplied schools and raises money for supplies, buildings and teachers there.
T.I.E. Trust in Education
This is a great post, I think you should turn it into a 2 or 3 part series.