Fighting the new, nameless war in Afghanistan
When the Taliban retook control of Afghanistan in August 2021, 20 years after their expulsion by U.S. troops, the American War ended. During those two decades of war, 200,000 Afghans tragically lost their lives. But now, a potentially more dangerous war is brewing. This nameless war has no clear enemy. Instead, it is a battle […]
What does girls’ education have to do with climate change?
By Alice Thomas Across the globe, people are feeling the effects of climate change—from hurricanes to flooding to droughts to wildfires. Tragically, the poorest, most marginalized people are often the hardest hit. In the regions of Central Asia where CAI works, extreme weather is a part of life. But as the climate changes, poor and […]
We’re all connected
By Rebecca Lee Ask Ruth Abad for the key to the world’s problems, and she answers with one word: education. Ask her to be more specific, and she gives you this: education for girls andyoung women. “Educated girls marry later,” she says. “They have fewer children. Research shows that educating girls has a positive effect […]
Learn how to support girls’ education in smart, tax-savvy ways
Central Asia Institute depends on the commitment and generosity of supporters like you to unlock the potential of girls and women through education. Many of our supporters want to ensure future generations of children in Central Asia receive the gift of education but aren’t sure how to go about it. Here are just a few […]
Differently abled craftswoman
Now Gulnamo is 42, and she creates elaborate, richly colored handicrafts—from traditional Pamiri socks to ornately beaded jewelry to whimsical souvenirs. Making these beautiful treasures has become her passion. She’ll find any excuse—a friend’s wedding, a family member’s birthday, or just a quiet moment—to sit and practice her art. And by doing so, Gulnamo is […]
Living on the roof of the world
The Pamir and Karakoram ranges, which are part of the broader Hindu Kush Himalayan region, include some of the tallest peaks in the world and are home to a mosaic of cultures, peoples, and landscapes. Known as the “Roof of the World,” these magnificent ranges span parts of East Asia, South Asia, and Central Asia, […]
Girls’ Education: Finding a way forward under Taliban rule
Afghanistan’s recent fall to the Taliban has brought global attention to the immense challenges girls and women living in conservative cultures face in accessing education. While there have been enormous gains in female education in Afghanistan since the U.S.-led incursion in 2001, millions of female students around the country may be forced to drop out […]
Read and Go Forward
For many children living in northern Pakistan, simply getting to school is the biggest barrier to getting an education. But with the introduction of an innovative library van last year, these children don’t need to travel to school. School can travel to them. In 2020, Central Asia Institute commissioned a library van, something never before seen […]
Girls’ education in Afghanistan
Afghan women and girls face an uncertain and ominous future. Now that U.S. and NATO forces have withdrawn and the Taliban has regained power, women and girls fear a return to the brutal repression of freedoms and rights they experienced two decades ago. Unfortunately, it is becoming more and more apparent that these fears could […]
Letter from an Afghan Woman
My name is Aisha, and I was born in Afghanistan. You will read part of my story in this magazine. My story has the potential to be a happy one. But right now, I’m not sure how happy the ending will be. In the summer of 2021, I was forced to flee my home because […]