KABUL - The Ministry of Higher Education on Tuesday expressed its concern over the sexual harassment of young women students in universities.
Officials in the Ministry said that lack of safety and the harassment of female students attending universities has led to a number of them quitting their studies.
Recently the Ministry implemented a strategy to prevent discrimination and sexual harassment at higher educational institutions.
"One of our priorities is to create a safe educational environment for females in the academic institutions. For this reason, we have introduced a harassment prevention policy at educational institutions," said Farida Momand, the Minister for Higher Education.
The Ministry is concerned that the sexual harassment of female students can be a hindrance in the development of education in the country.
"Our findings show that females do not feel safe at the academic institutions. The presence of female lecturers could play a vital role in preventing the harassment of female students," said Mohammad Osman Baburi Deputy Minister.
Statistics show that 35 percent of female students succeeded at universities this year, but the lack of safety for them and sexual harassment remained a big concern.
"Afghans with dignity are aware of rules and regulations. Why then do they allow the harassment female students? Why they do not let the girls finish their higher education?" asked Spozhmai Wardak, deputy Minister of Women Affairs.(Tolonews)