Fear Keeps Half Of Afghan Girls Out Of School

Afghan girls at study in a school in Kandahar (file photo) (AFP)

March 24, 2006 – Half the girls in Afghanistan are not going to school because their parents fear for their safety, Rima Salah, the deputy executive director of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), said today.

There have been at least 30 attacks on schools and their staff in the past six months. The attacks left five teachers and one student dead.

Salah said security needs to be improved at schools so that families know their children, "girls in particular," are safe.

Salah said the UNICEF is talking with community leaders about creating safe areas for girls, even if that means holding classes in private homes.

(Reuters)