Ghazal is one step closer to fulfill her dreams thanks to education
Thanks to the Back to Learning Campaign, more than 1,000 girls returned to school only in Mosul.
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Mosul, Iraq, 24 January 2023. - “My life was different, difficult and sad when I was out of school, now I can breathe again,” says Ghazal, 14 years old, living in Mosul, Iraq. "Now I am very happy, I have my classes and new interests, I have friends whom I love here at school, it is not just a place to study," says Ghazal.
Ghazal, who was forced to internal displacement due to the conflict that affected the country, has returned now with her family to their area of origin, in Mosul. She benefitted from the UNICEF-supported back-to-learning campaign, enabling her to go back to Al Kawthar School. As a result of this campaign, financed by the German Government through the KfW Development Bank, more than 1,000 girls returned to school only in the city of Mosul. Reasons for drop-out are complex, and include poverty, poor school infrastructure and poor learning environment, and might be influenced by harmful social norms, especially for girls.
The Back to Learning Campaign aimed to address the key factors that had resulted in children being out of school. The first goal was to ensure that Iraqi out-of-school children and adolescents are identified and have access to physical or virtual learning facilities/platforms under formal or non-formal education. The campaign then further addressed other social, cultural, economic, political, behavioral or personal issues that hinder their access to education.
"Due to the conflict and poor socio-economic situation, families could not afford to send their children to school,“ says Orouba Shaker, Principal of Al-Kawthar School in Mosul. “With UNICEF’s support, these girls are back to school.” Al-Kawthar School received, through this campaign, stationery for children, as well as classroom rehabilitation and school furniture.
"Now I can fulfil my dream of becoming a doctor, and become a successful member of my society," adds Ghazal with a smile. On #EducationDay, UNICEF reminds stakeholders in Iraq of the importance of investing in education, so that girls like Ghazal can achieve their dreams.
#ForEveryChild, quality and inclusive education
