Chris, Stephanie, Donna, Mev - and others who have posted questions or comments recently ---
I will catch up with you soon!  I am working under a deadline (yep! even in Afghanistan work is pressured sometimes!) and can't respond fully right now.
 
Quickly -- re: Chris' question on participation of women.  In the Literacy and Community Empowerment Program in rural villages, girls and women are taking a more active role in community activities.  Some of the participants in literacy classes are members of the women's community development council, using their new literacy skills to help with the CDC business -- writing minutes, developing a community development plan, developing proposals for infrastructure improvement projects.  In some villages (more than half), the women's council works very closely with the men's council - they consult together on decisions affecting the village.  I assume that the next time CDC elections are held, women who have been in the literacy classes will be more likely to considered for a seat on the council. Also -- from my recent field visits, I know that several women village teachers were candidates in the recent parliamentary elections.
 
Brenda

________________________________

From: womenliteracy-bounces at dev.nifl.gov on behalf of Stephanie Foerst
Sent: Wed 11/30/2005 9:55 AM
To: The Women & Literacy Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WomenLiteracy] More on literacy programs in Afghanistan


Brenda,
 
To continue from Chris' post, what is being done to help the women who want to become teachers, doctors, engineers, etc? After they finish the literacy program, will/are these women able to continue with their schooling and learn the profession they want?
 
In an unrelated question, what has been the biggest political stumbling block you've come across?
 
Thank you for being a guest facilitator, it's been very insightful.
 
Stephanie

	----- Original Message ----- 
	From: Christopher McAllister <mailto:cmcallister1225 at yahoo.com>  
	To: The Women &amp, Literacy Discussion List <mailto:womenliteracy at dev.nifl.gov>  
	Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 9:15 PM
	Subject: Re: [WomenLiteracy] More on literacy programs in Afghanistan

	Dear Brenda,
	 
	I would think that those responses (see below) are expected. People who go back to school do usually want to "make the world a better place."  I do have a question though. Besides quoting the Qu'ran, what other methods do you use to overcome the cultural obstacles? You mention that the classes are separated by gender; the problem is that they don't live in separate societies. Is there any attempt to allow the women to demonstrate their new sense of power that they have gained from their education?
	 
	Sorry, if it seems like I am rambling.
	 
	SIncerely,
	Chris
	 
	The common response to the first question (why are you in this  
	> class?), from both male and female classes, was -- to learn  
	> reading, writing and math!  Of course.  But with further probing,  
	> the young men said things like - to be able to read letters from  
	> relatives in Iran; to read shop signs; to get skills to help my  
	> family; to have a better future; to help our country develop; to  
	> become doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, carpenters, metal  
	> workers.  Young women said  -- to read and write letters to  
	> relatives; to become teachers (most); doctors, engineers, shop  
	> keepers (some); to do business in the bazaar; to learn everything  
	> we can; to help our families and our community.
	


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