CARE’s Empowerment through Education in Afghanistan (EEA) project, which has operated from 2011 to 2017 with support from the Australian Government, has helped rural communities in northern and south-eastern Afghanistan to send their children, including girls, to school. This project has included:

• Work with the Ministry of Education (MoE) to train community-based teachers, providing mentorship, guidance, and support—enabling them to become part of the formal education system.
• Community monitoring school activities through the Village Education Committees (VECs) made parents and community leaders feel comfortable with the community-based classes and has influenced even highly conservative, traditional households to allow their daughters to attend. VECs have also helped parents understand the importance of educating girls and to address barriers towards girls’ education. They provided an environment in which women and girls can participate in decision making.
• Student peer groups and VECs have provided a platform for women and girls to build confidence and leadership skills.
• Students received school supplies. This supported families in the target communities, many of whom were unable to afford school fees and materials.