EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT FOR AFGHAN GIRLS

By Nayereh Norzehi

“No matter how many trees you cut, no matter how many trees you burn, the spring still will come.”

Gul is a mother who lives in Sydney’s western suburbs and helps new arrivals to find work, study and education. Education has always been important in Gul’s life.

Gul studied as a kid in Afghanistan until year Four in Jalalabad in Pashto language. She needed to go to school with other groups of girls from the neighbourhood and come back all together at the same time. She never left home alone. Her mother was well-educated, like other Afghan women in her generation. She was a teacher and then she became a principal.

After finishing year Four, Gul’s family had to leave Afghanistan to go to Peshawar in Pakistan. Her father left then, and he went on a long journey to Australia. He left the family behind in Pakistan.

She continued her education and she graduated in Pakistan. In 2007 they had the chance to come to Australia. As a mother now, Gul understands her parents decision more. They were looking for safety and security for their children, especially the girls.

It makes Gul sad when girls miss out on the opportunity to study. When families say to stay home or not go to school it is because they have responsibility of their children. They know the situation outside is not safe and stable. But for the little girls, education is also important.

One of Gul’s suggestions is to share the story of other Afghan girls through social media and television shows so that more people hear their voices and raise attention for a better solution.

“We all are fighting for our freedom until we get our freedom back.”

She says we should support girls to go to school until at least year 12. Education is important as these girls become mothers and will need to help their children with homework, study and taking them to doctors.

“After every dark night there is a bright morning.”

When Gul came to Australia, she had a problem with writing. She went to English class for 6 months. The gap she had in her education made it difficult to go back to study.

Gul wished to be a doctor and said if she had had the opportunity to study with no gaps, she would be a doctor now. She has not given up her dream.