Teach Young Afghan Women to Teach Afghan Girls

When you educate a girl in Afghanistan, everything changes. Your help goes a long way by supporting literacy development in girls ages 5-22 in Balkh Province, Northern Afghanistan. Thanks to donor support, we have been able to both build physical schools as well as develop programs with computers, libraries and a teacher training center that aims to bring more female teachers to rural areas. 

Below you will find the story of Jahida. It sheds light on some of the challenges female teachers face in Afghanistan: 

"I know the struggle of teaching girls in Afghanistan. I am one of the teachers at Roshana Balkhi High School. I am 21 years old, my father is a doctor and my mother is a housewife. I am married. However, my husband does not live with me; he studies medicine in another province in the West called Herat. I started teaching in this school in 2010. I feel very fortunate that my husband’s family, with whom I live, has allowed me to freely work at the school as well as pursue my own higher education. I think, they have provided me with a golden opportunity to act upon my interests. Some of my colleagues are studying at the university for exams. I am pursuing one in Mazar-e-Sharif, too. Many in my village have been deprived of an education, and I often remind myself of this reality. As I study at the university and teach at school, I always think about how I can help improve the lives of my students, relatives and neighbors through my work. I am committed to working hard at the school so that my students are able to think for themselves and become successful members of society." 

Through this project, you have not only invested in these women’s independence, but also in the education of thousands of girls who are denied the opportunity to learn because there are no women to teach them. Many families do not allow their daughters to go to school if there are no female instructors, particularly in rural areas where conservative attitudes are deeply rooted. These 60 future teachers, who you have helped transport to our teacher training center, will impact an estimated 4,500 students a year upon graduation.

This project dramatically improves the long-term economic and social opportunities for these women. Training women to become teachers fosters their independence and raises their status, encouraging civic participation. And after graduation, when these women attain teaching positions, they will be empowered by their income and ability to manage their budgets and make their own financial decisions.

We thank you for your support in helping us end the cycle of female illiteracy and in creating more opportunities to learn in rural Afghanistan. One female teacher has the power to change the future of girls’ education.