简体中文
"At first, my relatives and friends were against my idea of learning Chinese at Kabul University, so I told them that I would study English there," Bahara Qhazizada, a female student in Kabul, whispered in Mandarin during an interview with Xinhua recently.
"I have been interested in learning Chinese and so I joined the Chinese Confucius Institute at Kabul University three years ago," Bahara, 18, said, adding that the language can serve as a bridge to link neighboring nations and boost trade and economic ties between China and Afghanistan.
Established in 2008, the Confucius Institute has enrolled 268 local students learning Chinese and among them, 51 have graduated successfully. At least 100 scholarships have been offered by the Chinese government since then to facilitate a good portion of the total enrolled in studying in China.
"The environment for female college students in Afghanistan has improved in recent years. My relatives and friends who said it was useless for a female to learn Chinese or other foreign languages are changing their minds. Now they are encouraging me. They realize women can also take part in rebuilding the country," said Bahara.
Speaking of her future career, Bahara said unhesitatingly, "My dream is to become the Afghan Ambassador to China."
"I am sure that other students could also further enhance the ties between the two peoples by having a good knowledge of the Chinese language."
Balqees Rizahi, Bahara's female classmate, seems more at ease about learning at the Confucius Institute.
"My parents support my studies at the university and they encourage me to visit China," said Rizahi, 21.
"There has been huge discrimination against women in the past. Women could not enjoy the basic rights laid down by Afghan laws. But in recent years, the situation is better. Nowadays, female students are learning in schools and universities across the country."
In some Afghan tribal villages, females, especially young girls, are required to stay at home and banned from attending school, which is a tradition inherited from the Taliban reign.
"I think that, although women's rights have considerably improved in Afghanistan over the past 13 years (after the collapse of the Taliban regime), there is still a long way to go to achieve equality with men, given the fact the rate of literacy among women remains much lower," Rizahi said.
"Women can take part in promoting living standards, but only if they are educated. If a mother is educated, her children are more likely to receive education, therefore our country could also benefit from that," she added.
With confidence in her eyes, Rizahi said she would like to become a Chinese language teacher in order to spread the knowledge to the Afghan youth. She also calls on families and parents in this war-torn country to support their daughters to receive education.
"I think more work is still needed for women rights to be promoted," she concluded.
