Afghan girls' school hit by poison gas

http://in.reuters.com/article/2013/04/21/afghanistan-poisoning-idINDEE93K08720130421

A school in Taluqan, Afghanistan is thought to have been hit by poisonous gas, one of many similar attacks carried out against girls' schools in the region. Afghanistan's ultra conservative society is heavily influenced by the Taliban, and female education has a strong opposition. Since the Taliban was ousted in 2001, women have won back many rights refused to them under Taliban rule, but periodic attacks against female students and teachers continue. As many as 74 girls were affected in this particular attack. Between May and June last year there were 4 poison attacks carried out against girls' schools in Takhar, a region that has been a hotbed of militancy and criminal activity since 2009.

Jill Laumbacher