BAMYAN - Women role models are encouraging girls to prioritize education and take a more active role in Afghan society as part of a series of UN-backed events around the country.

At the latest event, organized by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan in Bamyan, women leaders explained to an audience of more than 800 high school girls how they overcame their own challenges. Girls also had the opportunity to interact with the role models in small groups.

Final year student, Zakia, described the speeches as “amazing” and said that students were inspired to finish their education, cope with the challenges ahead and aim at greater goals.

Provincial Council head Taeba Khawari told the girls that despite war, migration to a neighbouring country, poverty and other challenges, she never lost hope, managing to complete her education and achieve her goals.

She said the girls should aim at a greater role and have higher visions for the future. It was for them to decide what to be in the future.

Ms. Khawari asked parents to allow their daughters to get an education because strong girls could be strong supporters to their families: “Women form half of society and if they are not active and don’t play their role, it means half of the society is paralyzed.” 

Another speaker, Provincial Women Affairs Department head Aziza Ahmadi said: “We had rare education opportunities, even families were not allowing boys to go to school. I was walking long distances for school. If I managed to achieve this success despite all the challenges, in the current environment I am sure you can achieve even more.”

Women’s rights activist Shukria Nida asked the girls to complete their education, because education is the only way to be a successful woman in the future: “Once you complete your education and build confidence, then your family and the society will be proud of you.”

UNAMA is mandated to support the Afghan Government and relevant international and local non-governmental organizations to assist in the full implementation of the fundamental freedoms and human rights provisions of the Afghan Constitution and international treaties to which Afghanistan is a State party, in particular those regarding the full enjoyment by women of their human rights.

Watch a video report of the event: