KABUL - To promote the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), which reached 20 years of age on 20 November 2009, UNICEF Afghanistan is launching a 30-minute radio series.

The ‘Child’s Home Radio Magazine’, will be broadcast in Dari and Pashto via “Salam Watandar”, a network of 42 community radios nationwide. The programme is produced by UNICEF and Internews Network.

Broadcast on 21st in Dari and 24th May in Pashto, the first programme will be dedicated to Girl’s Education, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the UNITED NATIONS GIRL’S EDUCATION INITIATIVE [UNGEI].

About 6.8 million children are enrolled in schools as per December 2009, with 2.5 million girls. The net enrolment rate for primary school-age children is 52 per cent (42 per cent girls, and 60 per cent for boys, National Risk and Vulnerability Assessment - VA 2007/8). This is a significant improvement compared to 2001 when less than one million children were enrolled in primary school.

However gender disparity remains large, particularly among the rural and nomadic population, directly impacting on the access to basic social services, such as education and health. Today only 13 per cent of women aged over 15 years are literate, as opposed to 39 per cent of men.

Starting from 2010, UNICEF and the Ministry of Education aim to increase girls’ enrolment in primary schools by 20 per cent by 2013. Through improved quality of teaching and learning, 60 per cent of girls enrolled in Grade 1 last in 2009 will reach Grade 5 of the education cycle in 2013. 30 per cent of all primary schools will be made child-friendly and will be transformed in a learning environment that is encouraging for girls and boys, including separate toilets for girls and boys, hygiene education, protective walls and playgrounds. Through an expansion of literacy centers, literacy rates among females aged 15-24 years will be increased by 50 per cent,

In this context, the Child’s Home Radio Magazine aims to entertain, teach and initiate discussions among children, parents and teachers, on children’s rights – Education is one of them. During eight months, the Magazine will be broadcast every week: On Friday in Dari and on Monday in Pashto, emphasizing one child right, through reports from Kabul and the provinces and discussions with children.

In light of the Peace Jirga, the second programme scheduled for May 28 and 31st will be dedicated to Peace and Reconciliation, with children expressing their hopes, addressing Afghan politicians.

A song on peace, for and by children will be aired during the programme