Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Afghanistan’s education system has been falling apart. More than 3.7 million children are out of school—and 60% of them are girls. Girls are banned from secondary school, women are blocked from universities, and they are no longer allowed to work in NGOs or international organizations. This has left thousands of families without income and millions of girls without hope.
“Girls and women in Afghanistan want to learn. They are the future leaders of a safe and successful Afghanistan.”
But it’s not only girls and women who are suffering. Many skilled teachers have fled the country, and others have been replaced by people connected to the Taliban. Schools are no longer places for learning—they are being used to spread fear and extremist ideas. This puts boys’ education in danger too, and risks the future of an entire generation. Girls face even more challenges beyond school bans. They are being forced into early marriage, pushed into child labor, and exposed to violence and poverty. Even online education, which once offered hope, is now risky and hard to access. Families in rural areas cannot afford internet or devices, and girls who try to study online may be punished. At Afghans for Progressive Thinking (APT), we are doing everything we can to help. We offer mentorship and financial support to young women who want to continue their education. In the past year, after attending our mentorship program, over 30 young women received offer letters, scholarships, and admissions to universities and colleges abroad. We have also built a strong network that reaches women even in places where it’s dangerous to speak openly. But the need is overwhelming, and we cannot meet it alone. Before 2021, Afghanistan had made real progress. Almost 3.8 million girls were going to school, more than 18,700 schools were open, and over 100,000 women were attending universities. These gains gave hope to millions, but now they are at risk of being erased completely. The world must act now. We need funding, scholarships, and strong support to protect the rights of girls and women. We must speak out against gender discrimination and call it what it is: gender apartheid. To the young people of Afghanistan: do not lose hope.
“Your strength and bravery give hope to the world. Keep building on what you have achieved, stay connected, and help each other.”
You are the future leaders of a peaceful and successful Afghanistan. And you are not alone, the world is watching, and we stand ready to support your journey.