Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 04/2011

Girls' Education in Afghanistan

February 2011

Oxfam Publishing

Abstract

Millions of girls have entered school in Afghanistan, since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. It is one of the few good news stories of the last nine years. However, the deteriorating security situation and the international community's focus on stabilization and counter-insurgency rather than on long-term development means this good news story is in danger of turning bad. A new approach from both the Afghan government and donors is urgently required to hold onto the gains that have been made.