Prioritising the future of Afghanistan

(NRC) – Children who have to flee their homes also lose their schools and classmates. “We must prioritize giving these children an education,” argues NRC’s Head of Programme in Afghanistan, Will Carter. “We have a proverb that says that one girl is able to educate ten generations. It’s very important, educated women make the difference,” says Mohama Qayoum, an Afghan teacher. Still, of the more than three million Afghan children out of school, three quarters are girls. Children are dropping out, not only due to traditions and conflicts, but also due to lack of funding and classrooms. 8th grade student Samia in Jalalabad is one of the girls who risked falling behind due to lack of proper facilities.  Her family were living as Afghan refugees in Pakistan, but suddenly felt forced to return to Afghanistan last year.