(This the latest in a series of confidential reports I am receiving from a friend inside Afghanistan.)
Dear David:
I know people in America care about what is happening with the education of girls in Afghanistan. Let me tell you the story of one girl I will call Faridah.
One week ago, the results of Kankur (the examination to enter the public universities of Afghanistan) were announced.
It has been two years since Faridah graduated from school and during her twelve years of schooling, she scored 100 in all subjects. In addition, she completed more than five English language courses and obtained the highest grade in her class in her exams. Before finishing school, she studied day and night to prepare for the Afghanistan National Entrance Exam for her chosen field, which was medicine.
At the beginning of the Taliban regime, she still hoped that her dream would come true and she would be able to attend the medical university and continue her education. But in quick succession the Taliban first closed the schools for girls above the sixth grade, then the university, then the entrance exam, all educational courses, work in international institutions and finally even women's hair salons.
Faridah’s wish, like an ice cube in the heat, began to melt. She says now that she has nothing to do. Her energy is gone. She doesn't think about anything except passing the days and nights. It's been two years since girls were allowed to participate in entrance exams. (BTW the number of male participants in the entrance exam has also decreased by half, as under the Taliban their interest in continuing their education is disappearing.)
Previously, when girls were also allowed to participate, for three consecutive years a girl had taken the top number among 300,000 participants. They also had remarkable success in university classes.
But now girls and women of all ages are having a very hard time in Afghanistan.They spend their days bored or by sewing, painting, social media or housework. Young girls ask their fathers every night when the schools will be open again.
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