2017 Theses Master's

Development Practitioners’ Perspectives on the Role of Islam in Afghan Girls’ Refugee Education: A Qualitative Comparative Case Study

Halpern, Desiree

This case study examined how perceptions of the role of Islam in refugee education can impact the design and implementation of educational programs for Afghan girls in refugee camps through the lens of Gender and Development (GAD) theory. This qualitative analysis of semi-structured interviews with ten practitioners (international development professionals and volunteers) applied GAD theory to analyze how decisions regarding the role of Islam in Afghan refugee girls’ education contribute to mitigating gender-based obstacles to facilitating access to education. The overall findings showed that Islam plays an important role in Afghan girls’ refugee education through practitioners’ cognizant efforts to respect and work around the Afghan community. Recognizing the role of religion and culture, practitioners are consciously trying to minimize patriarchal norms and gender-based discrepancies in education that have disadvantaged Afghan refugee girls in their home country and also in refugee camps.