Visakhapatnam: Afghan women return home happy after completing PG courses

Visakhapatnam: A team of 10 Afghanistan women headed back to their country via New Delhi with a hope to empower communities, venturing into new endeavours.

Having come from different age groups and educational backgrounds, they pursued PG at GITAM Deemed to be University. They got enrolled into various courses at the institution through the support of the Asia Foundation and United States Agency for International Development-funded scholarship programme.

The Afghan women say that they were a happy lot to return to their country after completing the PG course. They say that most families back home prefer to invest in sons' education rather than daughters.

According to a survey on Afghanistan's living conditions, the overall literacy rate in Afghanistan is only 34.8 per cent and about 9.9 million people, belonging to 15 years of age and above, were deprived of education and of them, 6 million constitute women. The country has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world, currently, estimated at about 31 per cent.

The international students say that their main challenges include lack of access to education, unemployment, domestic violence, forced marriages and poverty.

Hakima Rahim, who completed M Sc Physics at the age 40 says, "We had a different experience here in India and more so at the institution that gave a new exposure. People over here are extremely kind-hearted and helpful. I am one of the government employees in Afghanistan. I am glad that I got promoted because I completed my postgraduation."

After completing her MBA (HR) course, Elaha Abidi says that her confidence level has gone up and she wanted to contribute to her country by empowering others and making their life better.

Among the 10-women team, there's also Feriba Ahmai, a 53-year-old student who completed M Sc Chemistry. The postgraduates say that people in Visakhapatnam were extremely supportive to them and willing to extend help any time.

Sharing her views, Meharvanu, who is pursuing MA, Applied Psychology, says, "I adored South Indian culture as I consider it beautiful."

With hope in their hearts, the 10 students were eager to reach their country and contribute to their family and communities, donning new roles.