Education

Young Afghan woman provides free education to dozens of girls in Kabul

By Hamza

Girls study November 1 in a classroom at a home-based school in Kabul. [Courtesy of Sudaba Nazhand]

Girls study November 1 in a classroom at a home-based school in Kabul. [Courtesy of Sudaba Nazhand]

KABUL -- Sudaba Nazhand, 21, a journalism student at Khurshid University in Kabul, has been providing free education to 150 girls at her home.

Since August last year, girls have been prohibited from attending secondary school in Afghanistan.

"I set up a private school for girls at my house so that girls in grade six and above do not miss on their studies," Nazhand told Salaam Times on November 1. "We teach subjects for grades 6-12 at my home school."

It has been more than 400 days "since girls in grade six and above have been deprived of education. The achievements of [the past] 20 years have been lost, and the future of millions of female students has been uncertain and concerning," she added.

"To support female students and to stand up to those who have closed their schools, I decided to do what I can and provide an opportunity for free education to my community's 150 secondary school female students," she said.

"As a teacher and defender of women's rights, I work towards protecting and safeguarding the rights of Afghan girls and women achieved during the past 20 years," Nazhand said.

"I will not allow the aspirations and hopes that Afghan girls have for their education to completely vanish."

Demanding education

"Education is mandatory for both girls and boys, and education is the Islamic and human right of girls. There is no religious or legal justification for denying us this right," said Sitara Muradi, 16, a ninth grader at Nazhand's school.

"Women and girls make up half of society. We call on the authorities to open the doors of girls' schools and provide us education opportunities equal to those for boys," Sitara said.

"Most female students, including myself, are suffering from mental health problems," she added. "We want to go to school, as we used to do, and fulfil our dreams."

"It has been more than 400 days since the doors of schools have been closed to me and other girls... I am happy for studying at the home school, but I want to go back to the school where I studied for years," said Bahara Muradi, 14, an 8th grader.

"Countries that have equal education and work rights for men and women are developed and prosperous," Bahara said.

"We, girls should be given the right to education so that we can play an active role in the development of our country in the future."

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You wrote the truth, sir. I read this report. All have said well. I really liked what Bahara Jan said, "countries that have equal rights of education and work for men and women get developed and prosperous." I visited several countries of the world, and I saw with my own eyes that both men and women work. Work has effects whereever it is done. Unfortunately, in our country, there has been more than four decades of war and controversy, and it has turned into a vicious cycle. A war does not end before another war starts. May God have mercy on us and our people. Amen

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Dear sister, your work is appreciated. I wish all girls have had thoughts the way you do. I read the article and felt very happy. You may promote this work and not leave the girls alone. As an Afghan, I appreciate your work and I request you to continue your work so that our country is not deprived of literacy. I am proud of you girls. with respect

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It is important to encourage and financially support such girls and boys who have built schools at their own expense and provided educational opportunities to the people. Still, publishing it this way in the media is not good. In Paktia some time ago, schools above grade 6 were opened with the support of tribal leaders and school teachers, which were closed by the Taliban after a few days. When the schools were closed, the local girls protested. The Taliban arrested the same girls, their teachers, and several tribal leaders, and they are still in Taliban custody. So, we ask the Salam Times administration not to block the light by exposing such schools. Let the daughters of this country be educated in one way or other and reach their goals.

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Encouraging such people is good work, but don't give too many details about it. Because they can face problems, such family schools may also be prohibited. Once, I read information in Salam Times magazine about women who used to demonstrate in Kabul to demand their rights, they were arrested two or three days later, and that chain was almost over. Considering the women's eagerness, I ask the Mullahs through Salaam Times to allow them to resume their education. Afghanistan needs professional and skilled women. If we don't have highly educated women in every field, our society will be incomplete.

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