The Afghanistan Education for Women Alliance (AEWA), in cooperation with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), has held an international conference in Geneva bringing together government officials, representatives of international organizations, academics, and civil society activists.
The meeting, held on Thursday, June 18, focused on exploring ways to expand and formally recognize educational pathways for Afghan women and girls.
According to AEWA, the conference concentrated on developing a coordinated framework to support the continuation of education for Afghan women and girls amid existing restrictions.
Victoria Fontan said that nearly five years have passed since Afghan girls were barred from education beyond sixth grade, adding that the time has come to establish a sustainable and coordinated educational system.
Lorin Oates stated that member organizations are working to strengthen the recognition of educational qualifications, accreditation pathways, and sustainable funding mechanisms for Afghan women’s education.
According to the organizers, participants discussed creating a roadmap for integrating and recognizing alternative educational pathways for Afghan women and girls.
Representatives from international organizations, including UNICEF, UNESCO, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and Richard Bennett, participated in the conference.
Founded in 2022, AEWA is a network of more than 100 educational and civil society organizations working to preserve and expand access to education for Afghan women and girls.