In observation of International Literacy Day, DACAAR celebrates half a decade of committed efforts to empower the Afghan population through raising literacy levels.

According to the Afghanistan 2007/2008 Human Development Report, at a staggering 28 percent (2005), average adult literacy levels in Afghanistan are among the lowest in the world, comparable only to countries like Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger (UNESCO). While literacy does not automatically lead to development, illiteracy, especially among women, has been proven to hinder development through a number of mechanisms. In addition to being clearly linked with female economic empowerment, education leads to a reduction in infant mortality and malnutrition rates as well as fertility rates, among other development indicators.

DACAAR recognises that in order to realise its vision of an Afghanistan, where women and men in rural Afghan communities are effectively and in a sustainable way managing local resources in a constant improvement of livelihoods’ literacy levels among the Afghan population at large, and for women in particular, must be raised. This is the main message of this year’s literacy week, which was set off on 2nd September with a high profile event co-organised by DACAAR and other implementing partners of literacy projects in Afghanistan.

With husbands often away, earning their wage in distant provinces or in neighbouring countries such as Iran and Pakistan, many women are left as their families’ main breadwinners. Despite their increased economic responsibilities, however, Afghan women are still facing multiple barriers to their equal participation in public life.

In a feat to empower Afghanistan’s rural women, DACAAR has since 2004 established twelve Women’s Resource Centres (WRCs) in Ghazni, Herat, Laghman, Parwan, Paktia and Faryab provinces, as a part of its rural development programme. Among the main courses offered by the centres is a 9-12 month literacy course. So far, 3,019 women have participated in and completed 148 literacy courses. Another 1,010 women are currently enrolled and the goal is that 2,000 more will have received literacy training before the end of 2012. For many women, literacy courses serve as an entry point to their participation in trainings for income generating activities such as basic accounting, budgeting, agricultural management, procurement,
marketing etc.

Sarfa Gul from Herat province is among those who have benefitted from literacy training offered by a DACAAR WRC. Upon completion, she was able to find a job as a teacher and began working part-time as a treasurer for the WRC. “Before attending the literacy course I was only involved in housework. When I received a letter, I had to go door to door to find a person to read it. I could not help our children or earn an income”, says Sarfa Gul. “Now I am working as a school teacher, I can help my children and my family trusts and respects me.” The story of women such as Sarfa Gul represents only one among thousands of women, who have been able to land stable and well-paid positions following their completion of a DACAAR literacy course.

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Links:

www.dacaar.org

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