[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 37 (Tuesday, April 9, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CELEBRATING AFGHAN GIRLS GOING BACK TO SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NANCY PELOSI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 9, 2002

  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I commend Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin for 
her leadership and thank her for organizing today's statements. On 
March 23, the girls of Afghanistan returned to school, and on that day 
a milestone was reached in the re-establishment of Afghanistan's civil 
society. Preceding the takeover by the Taliban, women constituted 70 
percent of the teachers in Afghanistan, 50 percent of the government 
workers, 40 percent of the health professionals. During the Taliban 
regime, women were forced out of the workforce and girls were banned 
from school. Now, the women are returning to work, and with the return 
of girls to school, Afghanistan is laying the groundwork for the full 
participation of all of its children in developing a brighter future.
  As we celebrate this milestone in Afghanistan, we also must recognize 
the need for access to education for girls around the world. Nearly a 
quarter of the world's adult population cannot read and write and two 
thirds of the illiterate adults are women. In looking at gender 
equality in secondary education enrollment, only eleven percent of 
countries have achieved gender equality, in fact 51 percent of 
countries have a lower enrollment ratio for girls than boys.
  Education gives women the skills and tools that they need to 
participate fully in society. Education enables women to raise 
healthier and better-educated children. Educated women are more likely 
to participate in the decision making process of government, making an 
impact on policy that affects their daily lives. As we celebrate with 
the people of Afghanistan, let us also commit ourselves to ensuring 
that other girls across the globe have access to basic education, and 
the chance to make a better life for themselves.

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