Afghan girls’ right to education spotlighted in UN-backed radio programmes

14 Feb 2017

Afghan girls’ right to education spotlighted in UN-backed radio programmes

KHOST - Afghan women and girls must be supported in pursuing their education, stressed panellists in a new series of UN-backed radio programmes broadcast in the south-eastern province of Khost.

The programming, supported by the regional office of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) and broadcast by Khost Killid Radio, was set up not only to mobilize women and men around allowing girls access to education, but also to draw attention to women’s rights.

In the south-eastern region of Afghanistan, as in other areas of the country, Afghan women and girls continue to face many challenges, including domestic violence and early marriage.

In a radio interview following the programme’s launch last week, community elder Haji Sher Nawaz told Khost Killid that the entire community benefits when Afghan girls are able to pursue an education.

“I am inspired by your programmes, particularly about the importance of girls’ education,” he said. “We will not have female doctors, teachers or police officers if we don’t send our girls to school.”

The new UNAMA-backed series focused on women’s rights issues is broadcast twice weekly by Khost Killid 88.2 FM, reaching an estimated 400,000 people in and around Khost, which also borders on the provinces of Paktya, Paktika and Logar.

UNAMA is mandated to support the Afghan Government and the people of Afghanistan as a political mission that provides 'good offices' among other key services. 'Good offices' are diplomatic steps that the UN takes publicly and in private, drawing on its independence, impartiality and integrity, to prevent international disputes from arising, escalating or spreading.

UNAMA also promotes coherent development support by the international community; assists the process of peace and reconciliation; monitors and promotes human rights and the protection of civilians in armed conflict; promotes good governance; and encourages regional cooperation.