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World Literacy Day: The elusive dream of literacy for women in Afghanistan
Alma Begum* authored this report for the Zan Times in Persian, and it was translated into English by Rustam Seerat.
Through its home schools, Daricha School (called Maktab-e Daricha in Persian) seeks to educate young girls, mothers, and elderly women, many of whom have spent a lifetime dreaming of literacy, reading, and writing but have never found the opportunity to realize this dream. Not only has Daricha gathered girls who can no longer attend schools, but it encourages their mothers and other female relatives, and even neighbours to learn how to read and write.
When we receive reports on literacy programs, my colleagues and I in the technical department of Daricha enthusiastically review the videos, photos, and homework of these mothers to assess their progress. Their efforts to read and write show that women in this country love to read and write, experience new spaces, and progress, which have long been denied by oppressors both at home and in society and government.
To spread literacy as far as possible, high school girls are obligated to teach one family member in addition to their own studies. Here are some of their stories:
