Education International

ATROAfghan Teachers' Rights Observatory

Testimony

Seyed, a male teacher for over 20 years in a secondary boys’ school in Herat

I was happy when I was teaching the upper classes, but I have now been at home for the past two years.

I am fortunate because when I was teaching, my salary has always been paid on time, but the working conditions were not good.

I firmly believe that girls should have the right to education and female teachers should be allowed to teach boys.

More Testimonies

Freba, a female teacher in a girls’ school in Balkh

Over the last two years, women in our country have encountered unprecedented restrictions, revealing a stark disregard for our humanity. Through our union we call for improved basic pay, professional autonomy, and enhanced social security.

Anonymous, female secondary school teacher, union, and women’s rights activist

I am a former provincial leader of the National Teachers’ Elected Council. At the same time, I have been a women’s rights activist for a long time, advocating for girls’ education and participation of women in different organizations. Due to my engagement with teachers’ union and women’s rights activism, I was one of the most well-known people in my city which put me in imminent danger.

Zahra, a female teacher in a secondary girls’ school in Nangarhar

High officials impose significant restrictions on us. Female teachers in particular have no personal freedoms. Sometimes I doubt whether our profession is respected.