IRAQ: Number of girls attending school dropping, say analysts

[proud2BlibKansan]

BAGHDAD, 29 October 2007 (IRIN) - Education specialists in Iraq are worried about the low school attendance of girls as it could create a huge educational gap.

“The fear of losing their children through violence has led many families to keep their children at home but the number of girls kept at home is higher because in addition to the security problem, they are being forced by their families to assist in household chores,” said Sinan Zuhair, a media officer for the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

“Many families have lost their fathers or mothers and girls are asked to stay at home to help to cook, wash and clean. They are the ones paying the price of the violence since they have to forget about their future to be able to help the lives of their brothers,” Zuhair told IRIN. “The problem is worse in the rural areas where religion is being used by fathers as an excuse to justify why their daughters no longer attend school.”

According to Mustafa Jaboury, a spokesman for the Ministry of Education, in the southern provinces, the ratio of girls attending school has dropped from two girls to three boys to one to four.

more . . . http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=75037

[tanyev]

1. Let's send Laura over there to fix it.

She said people weren't giving her enough credit for what she does. Put your body armor where your mouth is, Pickles.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Good idea!