A new survey conducted by the Central Statistics Organization reveals that 84 percent of Afghan women are illiterate and only two percent of the women have access to higher education.

The health and demography survey which was conducted in 34 provinces of the country shows that 61 percent of women and girls in Afghanistan face different types of domestic violence; however, they keep the problem secret.

Meanwhile, the survey indicates that the conditions surrounding births have improved in the country but despite that 22 out of 1,000 newborn babies die in the first month after birth, said Attaullah Saeedzai, the Public Health Ministry envoy, said at a session which highlighted findings of the survey.

The survey also shows that 15 percent of births in the country are assisted by patients’ relatives.

On average, there are five children in every Afghan family, but in Nuristan province this figure is at nine children per family.
  
“This survey has also assessed other important characteristics which connected with the people’s lives,” Sher Mohammad Jamizada, head of the Central Statistics Organization said.

Moreover, the survey mentions that 58 percent of men and 24 percent of women in Afghanistan are aware of the HIV/Aids disease.

Public Health Minister Ferozuddin Feroz, who also attended the session, said part of the findings is not accurate.

“We learn two lessons from findings of the survey: First, it shows us how to manage and adjust our plans based on the findings of the survey and second and continue our efforts. It also shows the need to increase our efforts and work deeply on figures in the future,” Feroz said.

The health demographic survey covered more than 24,000 families and 39,000 women and men in 34 provinces of Afghanistan.