Children’s literature has been forgotten in Afghanistan
A number of authors say that nothing has been done in the field of children’s literature production in the country. These authors describe the situation of children in Afghanistan as worrying and add that children are not only denied access to children’s books in the current situation; But a large number of them do not benefit from the blessing of education.
Kazem Hamidi Rasa, a writer and cultural activist, calls the situation of children in the current conditions of Afghanistan pathetic and says that children’s literature has been forgotten in the country. He added: “In the last 20 years, institutions worked in special courses for children’s literature, but such an effective work was not done that it became a sustainable stream, and today children’s literature has practically become isolated.” Meanwhile, Dr. Sami Hamed, a famous Afghan poet and writer who has also worked in the field of children’s songs, is of the opinion that children need children’s books for their mental growth and development. Mr. Hamed added: “When a child opens a book, he actually opens the gate of his life today and tomorrow. If a child does not read books, he cannot learn critical and creative thinking skills. According to experts, several organizations have worked in Afghanistan in the field of designing and producing books for children; But it has not met the needs of the country’s children. Khaleda Tahsin, another writer and cultural activist, says that today’s children in Afghanistan are deprived of reading books. He adds: “In the current conditions of Afghanistan, even children’s games have been taken away from them. “Children are severely under the poverty line and above the fear line.” According to Mrs. Tahsin, the books that have been published in Afghanistan for children do not have a writing style and children’s language, and therefore cannot meet the reading needs of children.