Al Jazeera, June 5, 2010

Afghan girls brave Taliban threats

A series of attacks against schools and female students have driven many girls to go underground to receive an education.

The Taliban has waged a violent campaign against girls who go to schools in their Afghan strongholds.

In one attack in Kandahar in 2008, around 15 girls and teachers were sprayed with acid by men on motorbikes. (Photo: Al Jazeera)

A series of attacks against schools and female students have driven many girls to go underground to receive an education.

In 2008 around 15 schoolgirls and teachers were sprayed with acid by men on motorbikes.

During Taliban rule, from 1996-2001, girls were banned from attending school.

In parts of southern and eastern Afghanistan, particularly in Taliban strongholds, schools for girls still remain closed.

But the Taliban has denied any involvement in the recent spate of suspected attacks,and has condemned the targeting of school girls.

The Afghan government, however, has blamed the suspected attacks on fighters opposed to female education.

Al Jazeera's Hoda Abdel-Hamid visited one secret school for girls in Kandahar and sent this report ( http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2010/06/20106510171162225.html ).

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