Today marks a somber milestone for human rights, children’s rights, and girls’ rights: 1,000 days since Afghan girls were barred from attending secondary school. To commemorate this tragic anniversary, Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the global fund dedicated to education in emergencies and protracted crises within the United Nations, is launching the second phase of its impactful #AfghanGirlsVoices campaign.
A Platform for Voices
The campaign showcases a diverse array of creative expressions, including artwork, poetry, and cartoons, contributed by leading global artists. These pieces are paired with powerful quotes from Afghan girls who remain hopeful despite being denied their right to education. This new phase aims to amplify these voices and rally global support for their cause.
Continued Support and Advocacy
The initial phase of the #AfghanGirlsVoices campaign was unveiled in August 2023 by UN Special Envoy for Global Education, The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown, ECW Executive Director Yasmine Sherif, and Somaya Faruqi, ECW Global Champion and former leader of the Afghan Girls’ Robotics Team. The campaign has garnered significant global attention and support, reaching millions around the world.
The second phase sees an expansion in its roster of supporters, including renowned authors Khaled Hosseini and Christina Lamb, Al-Jazeera TV Principal Presenter Folly Bah Thibault, UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett, and Global Citizen Co-Founder Mick Sheldrick. The campaign also continues to receive backing from Afghan women activists and leaders such as Pashtana Durrani, the 2023 Global Citizen Prize winner and founder of LEARN Afghanistan.
A Call for Action
The exclusion of Afghan girls from education is a profound injustice and a breach of basic human rights, stated The Rt. Hon. Gordon Brown. The #AfghanGirlsVoices campaign stands as a worldwide call for gender equality and the protection of human rights. By sharing these stories of resilience and hope, we can unite in the fight for educational equality.
ECW Executive Director Yasmine Sherif added, “We must intensify our efforts to ensure that every adolescent girl can access education. Gender discrimination undermines not only the rights of Afghan girls but also the future of Afghanistan. Education is a fundamental right enshrined in international law, and it is critical for rebuilding and empowering Afghan society.”
The Reality on the Ground
Currently, about 80% of school-aged Afghan girls and young women are out of school, with nearly 30% of girls never having entered primary education, according to UNESCO. The recent bans on secondary and tertiary education have erased decades of progress. Between 2001 and 2018, enrollment surged from 1 million to 10 million students, with significant gains in female participation. This progress, however, has been severely reversed by recent developments.
Today, Afghanistan faces a humanitarian crisis with 23.7 million people requiring urgent assistance. The displacement of 6.3 million people, coupled with the persistent dangers of gender-based violence, child labour, and early marriage, deepens the crisis. Despite a $3 billion funding appeal, only $221 million has been raised, as reported by UNOCHA.
ECW’s Commitment
Since its engagement in Afghanistan began in 2017, ECW has invested $88.8 million to provide holistic education support to over 230,000 children. These investments focus on community-based learning, including teacher training, provision of learning materials, and mental health support.
The #AfghanGirlsVoices campaign remains a crucial initiative in highlighting the urgent need for educational access and advocating for the rights of Afghan girls.
