It has been 1,000 days since female students were prohibited from attending secondary schools in Afghanistan under the Taliban regime. Women’s rights and education activists have been counting the days, urging the Taliban to reopen the doors for these students.
Even before the Taliban’s rule, Afghanistan’s education system faced challenges, with limited access to education in rural areas. When the Taliban took control of certain regions, they denied female students the right to secondary education.
In 2021, the Taliban imposed a ban on female students, promising it to be temporary. Despite hopes for change in 2022, the doors remained closed to these students. Witnessing this injustice, I felt compelled to take action.
I started an English class for girls in my neighborhood, but had to discontinue due to safety concerns. I then connected with “Freedom To Learn” to provide online tutoring for Afghan students, including those in hiding.
Teaching online posed challenges, yet I persisted for the sake of my students. It was heartwarming to learn that most of them have safely left Afghanistan and continue their education. However, the ban on girls’ education by the Taliban persists.
Despite the obstacles, I expanded our tutoring network to support more students. While the Taliban promotes madrassas, some students still seek additional education through our online classes.
It’s disheartening that formal education in madrassas focuses solely on the Taliban’s ideology, neglecting crucial subjects. As the only country denying women and girls education, I remain committed to advocating for change.
After 1,000 days, I reflect on the progress made and the challenges ahead. Despite the obstacles, we persevere in the fight for women’s education in Afghanistan. Our determination remains strong as we envision a brighter future without oppressive regimes.