Support Afghan Girls to Access Online Education

Education is a fundamental right that should be accessible to everyone. But have you ever imagined a world where this right is taken away from you? Unfortunately, this is the reality for thousands of girls and women in Afghanistan. In the wake of the catastrophic collapse of Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, the oppressive Taliban regime swiftly encroached upon the fundamental rights of women in Afghanistan, leaving them in a state of despair.

It was the summer of August 15th, 2021, when the Taliban (a gender apartheid regime), notorious for their oppressive policies, took control of Kabul. As the news of the Taliban’s takeover spread, I held on to a glimmer of hope that they would never be able to invade Kabul. My hope was shattered when I learned that the Taliban forces had entered the city. Nobody was prepared for this, which led the city to fall into chaos and people desperately trying to flee the country and hoping to escape the oppressive rule of the Taliban.

Historically, the Taliban denied women and girls their right to education during their initial rule in the country between 1996 and 2001 and after seizing power for a second time in 2021 girls were again denied their right to education. This makes Afghanistan the only country in the world that forbids girls and young women from attending secondary school and places of higher education. Women are barred from public spaces, including parks, and most forms of employment too.

Given the grim reality before me, I vowed to become an agent of change for these resilient girls trapped in dire circumstances. Listening to the heartbreaking stories of these girls, I sought to grasp their most pressing needs. Their passion for learning remains undiminished, despite the Taliban’s closure of educational institutions. Numerous girls have resorted to online platforms, unwavering in their quest for knowledge. Yet, a significant barrier arises as the majority of these girls come from disadvantaged backgrounds where obtaining internet access is but a distant aspiration, far from their parents’ priority list. Driven by an unwavering determination to create a ripple of hope, I initiated to conduct a project to address their learning needs.

As an Afghan woman who escaped the oppressive rule of the Taliban and has lived in exile ever since, my journey has led me to a new chapter at Middlebury. I am Taniya Noori a student at Middlebury College. My commitment extends beyond personal achievements, as I feel compelled to support fellow girls and young women in my homeland. Driven by this mission, I have initiated a project with two primary goals. Firstly, to provide internet-based technology and access to education for impoverished girls, and secondly, to offer structured online tutoring. The focus of my project is to extend educational opportunities to a diverse group of 15 students, aged 13 to 22 years (7th to 12th grade), hailing from various regions of Afghanistan where access to education has been denied. At present, 20 volunteer tutors from around the world dedicate their time to work with young Afghan women, providing 2-4 online tutoring sessions weekly. Our vision is to expand this program, support the exiting students and reach more students in Afghanistan and extending the transformative benefits of education to those who are in dire need.

In the light of these grim circumstances, I call upon you to stand in solidarity with us and protect the rights of girls and women in Afghanistan. Together, let us kindle a ray of hope for the girls and women of Afghanistan. Here are some ways you can support us:

Funds for cell phones and internet service are desperately needed needed to maintain the existing program and to provide even more young women with a tutoring relationship.

FUND RAISING GOAL US $8,400.00

Please help us achieve our funding goal by donating whatever you can. Your generosity will give nine more young women the opportunity to learn as well as supporting the existing students who are in increasingly dire financial straits. Exceeding our goal will allow even more young women to benefit.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you.