Fast Track Education for Afghan Women and Girls

Computing is a modern skill that people need no matter where they live in the world. Women and girls in Afghanistan are interested in learning computing to aid them in school work or to find work. Computing helps improve literacy and can accelerate literacy learning particularly helping those who are in fast track classes. 

Many AIL Learning Centers offer computing classes and in Herat there are 495 computer students (241 female) and in the Kabul area 314 students.  There are also special English and Computing combined classes and 88 of the Kabul students are enrolled in this type of fast track class.

Nadia is a Computer class student at a center in Herat. She said, “I have been in computer class for 5 months and I learned lots of new things and I am now a fully skilled computer programmer. Computer skills are extremely important and everyone needs to have them.  I am so proud of myself, that I learned this skill and can work for my countrymen.  Recently, I got a part- time job at a foundation for women. There I exchange emails and coordinate meetings for the board of directors. By earning money from my new job, I can buy whatever I need to have. I am also able to teach computer skills to my children, and don’t need to pay anyone else to do it. I really do love computers. Through the class I have also learned to communicate with my friends and promote my skills. Whenever a person can earn money she can live independently and support her family.” 

Thank you for your support for Afghan women as they study and work to gain modern, marketable skills and improve their lives.

AIL is working towards: SDG Goal 4

Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

AIL’s Learning Centers (LCs) give refugee and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) notably women the opportunity to learn many subjects. They often start out with  fast track tailoring/sewing and literacy classes, then as their confidence grows they take on new challenges. Tailoring is popular because these refugee women need to earn money.  So far in 2018, 1,054 females (491 adolescents) are studying tailoring in Herat LCs and 376 in LCs in Kabul and other provinces. AIL tailoring students are grateful to be able to learn a useful skill which they will use to make clothing for their families and also as a means to earn money as a small business. 

Amena comes from a very poor refugee family she has this to say, “I have lived in a very hard situation my whole my life. My father is the only one who earns money for our family and only enough for food. I have no older brother to help my father and I have four sisters. I felt hopeless before joining the free tailoring class at the AIL center.I learned lots of tailoring skills and started to sew clothes for my sisters. Now I am able to sew every type of clothing. I have my own tailoring business and earn money.I can help my father with the expenses of our daily life. I proved that there isn't any difference between boys and girls if the way is paved for them to improve themselves." 

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