Rekha Kakkar
Updated on: October 8, 2024 8:19 pm GMT
Women in Afghanistan Push for Education Amid Taliban Ban
For many, the start of a new school year signifies opportunity, growth, and hope. However, for women and girls in Afghanistan, this milestone remains painfully out of reach due to the Taliban’s ongoing ban on secondary education. With the international community watching closely, stories of young women who fled the country to pursue their dreams are drawing attention to the dire situation back home.
Life After Escape
Among those who have found refuge and education abroad is Mah, a 22-year-old who fled Afghanistan in August 2021. Now residing in Cardiff, UK, Mah is beginning her GCSE studies in English. “I am happy for myself. I am safe. I have freedom,” she told BBC Newsbeat. But her joy is overshadowed by concern for friends she left behind, who remain trapped under the Taliban’s oppressive regime.
Restrictions Escalate
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, restrictions on women’s lives have escalated dramatically. Girls over the age of 12 are prohibited from attending school, effectively stifling their educational aspirations. Women also face significant barriers to employment, with beauty salons shuttered and access to public spaces like parks and gyms heavily restricted.
Education as a Lifeline
- Women like Mah pursue education overseas to create life-changing opportunities.
- The closure of schools has led many young women to turn to alternative means of survival, including shopkeeping.
- Despite challenges, these women advocate for the rights of their peers still in Afghanistan, emphasizing the need for educational reforms.
Journeys of Hope: Mah and Aqdas
Mah’s journey to safety was fraught with danger. She initially fled from Helmand Province to Kabul amidst the turmoil of the Taliban’s resurgence. Reflecting on her decision to leave, she said, “If I stayed in Afghanistan, maybe they would kill me, maybe they would marry me.” Her arrival in the UK, alongside other refugees, marked the beginning of a new chapter, but not without grief for what she left behind.
Seventeen-year-old Aqdas has a similarly harrowing story. Currently studying at a college in New Mexico, she recalls the panic that gripped her family the day the Taliban seized Kabul. “I remember that I did not know what to do anymore,” she said. With her mother’s support, Aqdas continued her education secretly online, determined to overcome the limitations imposed by the Taliban.
Overcoming Obstacles
- Aqdas’s escape involved navigating bureaucratic hurdles, travel restrictions, and the closure of the Afghan embassy.
- Her experience underscores the emotional toll on Afghan girls, who grapple with anxiety and despair as education becomes increasingly inaccessible.
- Both Mah and Aqdas symbolize the spirit of resilience shared by countless Afghan women striving for a better future.
Shopkeepers in Herat: A New Normal
Back in Afghanistan, the closure of schools has forced many young women into the marketplace. In Herat’s Ferdowsi Market, female shopkeepers like Naheed Siddiqi are taking matters into their own hands. Naheed, now 20, turned to business after being barred from her education. “I chose this work to avoid depression,” she explained, highlighting the struggle to find purpose amidst restrictions.
The Market as a Safe Haven
- Women are finding a semblance of independence through entrepreneurship, though this comes with its own set of challenges.
- Naheed and her peers are vocal in their calls for educational reform and fundamental rights, urging the Taliban to reverse their oppressive policies.
- The market serves as both a means of survival and a platform for advocacy among young women denied education.
The International Community Responds
The UK government has condemned the Taliban’s ban on women’s education, calling for urgent action to protect the rights of Afghan girls. A representative stated, “We strongly condemn the ban on women heading to the classroom and university.” Despite ongoing global pressure, the Taliban has yet to respond substantively to these concerns.
Ongoing Advocacy
Organizations are stepping up to fill the educational gap left by the Taliban. The BBC’s educational program, Dars, targets children banned from schooling, providing lessons in Dari and Pashto. The resilience of Afghan women, whether through escaping to foreign lands or carving out livelihoods at home, continues to inspire advocacy and support worldwide.
A Call for Action
As many young Afghan women push for their right to education, their stories highlight the urgent need for systemic change within Afghanistan. The struggles they face resonate beyond borders, serving as a reminder of the universality of the fight for women’s rights and education.
To understand what Afghan women are going through and how the world is reacting, you can check out news sources like BBC News and UN Women. They work hard to highlight these important issues and are fighting for changes that will help all girls go back to school.
