The practice of reading and writing began some 4,500 years ago in ancient Mesopotamia, present-day Iraq, when rulers started keeping records of food stocks and other important information related to trade and governance. Yet it was only six decades ago that the international community formally recognized the vital role literacy plays in enabling people to participate fully in agriculture, health, employment, community development, and broader social and economic life.
At the 1965 World Conference of Ministers of Education on the Eradication of Illiteracy, organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Member States affirmed that literacy should empower people to improve their lives and livelihoods and is therefore a fundamental human right.
This milestone marked the beginning of global efforts in literacy research, policy development, and programming. The conference also led to the establishment in 1966 of International Literacy Day, observed annually on 8 September.
In Afghanistan, UNESCO, other United Nations agencies, and international partners have supported literacy initiatives for decades. However, progress has been significantly affected by more than 40 years of conflict and instability.
According to UNESCO data from 2022, Afghanistan's literacy rate stood at 37.3 per cent, including 22.6 per cent among women and 52.1 per cent among men.
Despite a challenging socio-economic environment, Afghans across the country continue to strive to overcome illiteracy and acquire skills they describe as life changing.
In Ghor Province, western Afghanistan, 38-year-old Fariba has been attending literacy classes for the past two years.
“Now, when I go to the market or the hospital, I can read signs and medicine labels, write my own name, and even help my children with their schoolwork. I can have a better life.”
For 28-year-old Bibi Zarghona from Laghman Province in eastern Afghanistan, everyday tasks such as providing her identification number or shopping at the market were difficult because she could not read or write. Determined to change her situation, she enrolled in a literacy programme through radio broadcasts.
“The programme introduced us to a booklet and a book, which I purchased. With the guidance of the radio lessons, I started learning to read and write. Alhamdulillah, the change has been remarkable,” she explained.
Literacy is a doorway to a better life
“For me, literacy is not just about books. It is a doorway to ease, confidence, and new opportunities. I am deeply grateful to the radio programme and to all those who made learning possible for us. I hope that others, regardless of age, also make the effort to learn, because it is never too late.”
Radio-based learning also helped 17-year-old Mohammad Rahman, who lives in a remote village in Paktia Province in southeastern Afghanistan, strengthen his literacy skills.
“Through literacy and education, I have been able to read a wide range of books and gain knowledge. Because of this knowledge, people sometimes come to me for advice, and I am able to offer useful guidance. I can also carry out various activities and make decisions based on what I have learned, and this has been very beneficial to me.”
For Nadera, learning to read was one of her lifelong ambitions. Recently enrolled in a literacy course in Bamyan Province, central Afghanistan, she has already seen tangible benefits. Thanks to her newly acquired skills, she was able to secure employment as a tailor.
“I am happy that I can now contribute towards covering some of my personal expenses.”
In her spare time, Nadera enjoys reading motivational books and novels.
“At present, I am reading Life Without Limits and have already reached the second chapter,” she says with a smile.
Beginning in 2014, UNESCO worked closely with the Ministry of Education to develop the curriculum framework for Youth and Adult Literacy and Basic Education (YALBE). This accelerated literacy-learning programme includes teaching guides, assessment tools, and condensed learning materials across three levels equivalent to Grades 1 to 9.
Today, the programme continues to support literacy outcomes for Afghans nationwide through both public institutions and community-based delivery mechanisms.
This year, UNESCO has chosen “Literacy for People, Planet and Prosperity” as the theme of International Literacy Day. The theme highlights the far-reaching impact of literacy on individual lives, prosperous societies, and a more sustainable future.
