
Transforming Afghanistan through Tech AFG
HI THERE!
My name is Mursal and I am an award-winning social entrepreneur and the CEO of Chatterbox. I'm also an Afghan woman.
THE PROBLEM
As an Afghan woman who managed to flee the horrors of the Taliban in the 90s, scenes like the massacre at Kabul University yesterday hurt, deeply.
Terrorist attacks against elementary schools, universities, humanitarian aid organisations, and even maternity wards, have been increasing in Afghanistan recently.
Why? Because as Donald Trump rapidly withdraws American troops to win a PR war at home, the sweaty hands of the Taliban have slowly been returning their grip on power.
What does that mean for Afghan women?
A return to a life without an education, without a job, with normalised and continual physical and mental abuse, without the freedom to leave the home without a male escort. Something similar to the Handmaids Tale - which was, after all, inspired by the horrific Taliban.
THE SOLUTION
As a tech entrepreneur, the thought that keeps going through my head is;
How can the Taliban stop women in Afghanistan from being educated if they have YouTube on their phones?
The internet has given us all the opportunity to access the world's knowledge, work opportunities, and culture through a screen - almost for free.
The Taliban can wage war on schools and classrooms, but they can’t fight the internet.
If an Afghan woman can work, learn, and love online, a smartphone becomes the most powerful tool for social change that we may have.
THE PLAN
After checking my plans with Afghan politicians, entrepreneurs, and coders, I'm confident that a tech revolution in Afghanistan is possible. One that will help leapfrog Afghanistan into peace and prosperity.
I want to set up an organisation that will:
1 - Increase internet penetration in Afghanistan
2 - Train thousands of Afghan software engineers
3 - Draw investment towards the emerging Afghan tech sector
The money I am raising for this fundraiser will pay for 1 year's salary for an incredible female CEO and team based in Kabul to lead the organisation.
In our first year we will:
- Build the world's largest community of Afghan technologists
- Train 100 Afghan female software engineers
- Deliver internet scholarships to 10,000 Afghan students
- Win sponsorship to become self-funded as an organisation
THE ASK
The privilege of being safe, educated, and the CEO of my own company is not lost on me. I have a responsibility to do what I can to help prevent the loss of another generation of Afghans to the dark forces of regression and oppression represented by the Taliban.
And you do too. Turning our backs on Afghanistan led to a decade of unnecessary pain in the country and ultimately to 9/11. There's still a chance to do better this time. Please support this fundraiser with whatever you can.
My name is Mursal and I am an award-winning social entrepreneur and the CEO of Chatterbox. I'm also an Afghan woman.
THE PROBLEM
As an Afghan woman who managed to flee the horrors of the Taliban in the 90s, scenes like the massacre at Kabul University yesterday hurt, deeply.
Terrorist attacks against elementary schools, universities, humanitarian aid organisations, and even maternity wards, have been increasing in Afghanistan recently.
Why? Because as Donald Trump rapidly withdraws American troops to win a PR war at home, the sweaty hands of the Taliban have slowly been returning their grip on power.
What does that mean for Afghan women?
A return to a life without an education, without a job, with normalised and continual physical and mental abuse, without the freedom to leave the home without a male escort. Something similar to the Handmaids Tale - which was, after all, inspired by the horrific Taliban.
THE SOLUTION
As a tech entrepreneur, the thought that keeps going through my head is;
How can the Taliban stop women in Afghanistan from being educated if they have YouTube on their phones?
The internet has given us all the opportunity to access the world's knowledge, work opportunities, and culture through a screen - almost for free.
The Taliban can wage war on schools and classrooms, but they can’t fight the internet.
If an Afghan woman can work, learn, and love online, a smartphone becomes the most powerful tool for social change that we may have.
THE PLAN
After checking my plans with Afghan politicians, entrepreneurs, and coders, I'm confident that a tech revolution in Afghanistan is possible. One that will help leapfrog Afghanistan into peace and prosperity.
I want to set up an organisation that will:
1 - Increase internet penetration in Afghanistan
2 - Train thousands of Afghan software engineers
3 - Draw investment towards the emerging Afghan tech sector
The money I am raising for this fundraiser will pay for 1 year's salary for an incredible female CEO and team based in Kabul to lead the organisation.
In our first year we will:
- Build the world's largest community of Afghan technologists
- Train 100 Afghan female software engineers
- Deliver internet scholarships to 10,000 Afghan students
- Win sponsorship to become self-funded as an organisation
THE ASK
The privilege of being safe, educated, and the CEO of my own company is not lost on me. I have a responsibility to do what I can to help prevent the loss of another generation of Afghans to the dark forces of regression and oppression represented by the Taliban.
And you do too. Turning our backs on Afghanistan led to a decade of unnecessary pain in the country and ultimately to 9/11. There's still a chance to do better this time. Please support this fundraiser with whatever you can.
Fundraising team (2)
Mursal Sofia
Organizer
Anonymous
Beneficiary
Fatema Hedayat
Team member