Three schoolgirls from Afghanistan won gold in biology at an international science competition hosted in Kenya last week.
300 students competed from 27 countries in a science competition in Kenya, where three girls from a school in Afghanistan took home the gold in biology. Upon return to Afghanistan, Shohra, one of the gold medalists, exclaimed excitedly that her and her classmates won the competition and obtained gold medals.
Nargis, another medalist, emphasized the need for continued support for girls’ education in Afghanistan after her victory. “Afghanistan needs more focus on education because it has been a war-hit country,” she said. “I want all families to allow their daughters to continue their studies in order to bring honor to Afghanistan.”
President Ghani and First Lady Rula Ghani have promised increased support for girls’ education.
Last fall, President Ghani and USAID launched its largest women’s empowerment program in the world, called “Promote.” Ghani and CEO Abdullah Adbullah, when announcing the initiative, both spoke about giving more roles to women in government and the need for women’s inclusion in economic development. Promote was also welcomed by First Lady Ghani, who spoke at the launch of the program. Ghani emphasized her desire that Promote reach not only urban women, but also “their educated sisters in the provinces.”
Media Resources: Tolo News 5/6/15; 11/8/14; Feminist Newswire 11/11/14
