Global Literacy Matters

Tens of thousands of previously non-literate Afghans can now read, thanks to the five-year NATO-led $200 million literacy program for the Afghan national security forces. With fewer than 28 percent of adults who can read and write, non-literacy in Afghanistan is exacerbated by decades of war and disruptions in public education. Non-literacy among Afghans of military age was a major hurdle for the NATO coalition in Afghanistan, as recruits couldn't follow basic written instructions or read manuals for new weapons and equipment. NATO set up a course to teach basic reading skills to expand literacy among the new Afghan army and police forces. More than 220,000 members have been trained in basic reading and more than 70,000 have achieved a level of functional literacy. 50,000 more recruits are in the program currently, and the Afghan government plans to continue the program after the end of NATO involvement next year. Fewer than 1 million Afghan children were enrolled in school i...

International Literacy Day Afghanistan The Roquia Center The Roqia Center, ProLiteracy’s Afghan partner, has developed an innovative literacy program for couples in some of Kabul’s poorest neighborhoods. Attending class often means being in the same room with other men and women not from their own family—with the women’s faces uncovered—for the first time in their lives. Every class includes people of ethnic backgrounds that have historically been in conflict with one another. Bringing couples together outside the home is a powerful way to promote overall change in the community. Also, central to this effort has been the development of materials to improve the position of women in Afghan society. These materials include: human rights literacy manuals and a booklet consisting of the positive references from the Koran regarding the role of women in the family and society. By donating to ProLiteracy right now, you will help these women and men receive the tools necessary to learn and pros...