Afghanistan: No country

for young women

LESSON PLAN

MADE BY: NGAN NGUYEN

AUG 2023
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LESSON PLAN

AFGHANISTAN: NO COUNTRY FOR YOUNG WOMEN

Topic

Gender equality; South/Central Asia, Culture

Student outcomes

Through the analysis of a news article and interactive activities

Understand the main points of the provided article
Engage in a thoughtful discussion about gender equality and cultural perspectives

Age group and level

2nd year student at Intermediate level

Class size

30 - 40 students

Time

approximately 150 minutes

Material

Article "Afghanistan: no country for young women".

Available online: https://www.economist.com/asia/2022/04/02/the-taliban-are-pushing-
females-out-of-public-life

Introduction

This article sheds light on the challenges faced by Afghan women due to the Taliban's
return to power. It highlights the sudden reversal of policies, particularly in girls' education,
which threatens progress made over the years. The impact of abrupt changes is explored,
along with the importance of education for women's empowerment and societal growth.
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LESSON PLAN

Procedure

Begin by asking students to share their thoughts on gender

Introduction and equality and its importance (individual activity)
Icebreakers Conduct a quick icebreaker activity where students pair up
(15 minutes) (opposite sex) and discuss their views on cultural
differences in gender roles.

I. Reading and Analysis

Introduce the article and explain its relevance to cultural

Introduction to the
perspectives on gender equality.
Article
Briefly outline the key points that will be discussed in the
(10 minutes)
article.

Each individual should read the article in advance.

Read and analysis
Explain new words and their meanings
(20 minutes)
Paragraph summary - matching headings

Students exchange their ideas, insight, and result of the

Pair discussion
assigned tasks.
(20 minutes)
Result is shown on the screen

1. What was the main issue discussed in the article? Briefly

summarize the challenges faced by Afghan girls and women.
2. What impact did the Taliban's decision to reverse the
reopening of secondary schools for girls have on the students?
3. How did the new Taliban rule differ from the promises they
Whole class initially made regarding women's participation in society?
discussion 4. What changes and progress did Afghan women experience
(25 minutes) before the Taliban took over? What factor contributed to these
changes?
5. According to the article, what are some recent repressive
measures imposed by the new Taliban rule?
6. How do you think cultural norms and societal expectations
influence the experiences of women in Afghanistan?
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LESSON PLAN

II. Interative activity - Cultural perspectives

Topic: Gender equality in Vietnam

Brainstorm all the ideas and vocab related to this topic
1. Gender equality is currently viewed and practiced in
Vietnam? 2. Gender roles differences between Vietnamese
culture and Western culture? An example?
3. Actions to promote gender equality in Vietnam.
Cultural case study
4. Differences between the situation that Afghanistan women
(20 minutes)
are facing compared to your country?
5. Women's role in the past and present 6. Differences between
women's and men's role

Divide the class into 6- 8 groups

Groups need to prepare ~ 2 minute speech

Group sharing and

Groups taking turn to present their speech
comparison
Comments and discuss relevant questions.
(30 minutes)

Wrap-up and
conclusion Summarize the main ideas discussed during the lesson.
(10 minutes)