60 million girls in Afghanistan
We have arrived at our first stop in Asia, Afghanistan, where we first partnered with UNICEF Canada in 2008 to assure that 1,300 girls would be able to go to school through the establishment and support of 37 community-based schools and the training of female teachers in child-centred and a gender-sensitive new curriculum. There was and is a crying need for support for education, particularly for girls, in this country that has been war-torn for decades. In addition, this project provided learning materials and texts, as well as basic supplies such a floor mats and stationery and the construction of adequate sanitation for girls. 
In 2014, we partnered with CARE Canada to implement the Safe Learning Environment for Girls’ Education project. It directly benefited 176 primary and lower secondary students, 500 additional hub school students and 20 hub school officials and teachers. The project indirectly benefited 3,650 people, including the family members of the students, community residents and local labourers and vendors. The project consolidated access to safe learning spaces through the construction of a school building, sustaining community engagement in community-based education, and improving the quality of hub schools.
Welcome to Afghanistan!
Girls’ education in Afghanistan
Our president, Wanda Bedard, decided to found the 60 million girls Foundation after reading a newspaper article that described the plight of women under the Taliban regime. And, though there have been positive changes since then, most girls do not continue to a secondary education and attacks on girls’ schools are still prevalent. Of an estimated 3.7 million children who are out of school, 60% of them are girls.
Some barriers to girls’ education:
- continued insecurity
- traditional norms and practices related to girls’ and women’s role in the society
- a lack of female teachers
- a lack of schools and insufficient transportation
- a lack of proper sanitation facilities
- early marriage: 17% of girls marry before their 15th birthday
It is NOT safe to hike in Afghanistan
Unfortunately, despite the spectacular scenery of the country, it is not safe to travel to or in Afghanistan because of the precarious political situation.