UNESCO: 12 million people in Afghanistan are illiterate

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization estimates that 12 million people in Afghanistan are illiterate.

The organization said in a statement issued today on the occasion of World Literacy Day that despite the 9 percent increase in literacy rates in Afghanistan, 7.2 million women and 4.8 million men are still illiterate in the country.

The organization also said that as a result of recent developments in Afghanistan, 4.2 million children, 2.2 million of whom are girls, are illiterate in the country.

UNESCO has also called the budget for adult literacy and education insufficient and warned that as a result of recent developments in Afghanistan, large numbers of girls and women in literacy courses will face serious problems.

The organization also stressed in its statement that it will continue to empower women and girls in Afghanistan.