A photograph of a ten-year-old girl from a rural village in Afghanistan, concentrating on her studies inside her home in a remote area east of Kabul, has been named the photograph of the year at an international competition organized by the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Germany. The image, by French photojournalist Elise Blanchard, is part of the report 'Being a Girl in Afghanistan' and, according to UNICEF, reflects the 'silent but unbreakable resistance' of millions of Afghan girls who have been denied access to secondary education for over four years. The snapshot portrays Hajira, whose eyes seem drawn to an open school book on the floor. This scene conveys the urgency of someone who is aware that their time to learn is limited, in a context marked by severe restrictions on the right to female education. 'This photograph shows us what childhood means for many girls in Afghanistan: having to fight for something that should be obvious, the right to learn,' said Elke Büdenbender, UNICEF Germany's patron, during the award ceremony held in Berlin on Friday. Büdenbender also highlighted that through Hajira's gaze, the author 'gives a moment of curiosity and determination' that serves as a call not to abandon girls and boys affected by educational exclusion. According to UNICEF, more than 2.2 million girls in Afghanistan are currently prohibited from attending school. While primary education remains possible, adolescent girls of secondary school age no longer have official authorization to study, a situation that threatens their development and future.
