In August 2021, Afghanistan fell to the Taliban. Today, those who have most to fear – Afghanistan’s women and children – are still fighting for security and their basic human rights including to education and work. Central Asia Institute is standing with them.
In August 2021, Afghanistan fell to the Taliban. Today, those who have most to fear – Afghanistan’s women and children – are still fighting for security and their basic human rights including to education and work. Central Asia Institute is standing with them.
Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, Afghanistan has become one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. Women and children – especially girls – have borne the brunt of this.
Over the past three years, the Taliban has imposed increasingly harsh restrictions on women’s rights to education, work, and move freely outside of their homes. Despite promises to rule justly, the group has resorted to its darkest ways. Female education above Grade 6 has been banned, undermining two decades of efforts to improve access to education for Afghan girls, more than half of whom were not enrolled in school even before the Taliban came to power. The ban on female education after Grade 6 has forced another 1.4 million Afghan women and girls out of school, crushing their dreams and dashing their hopes and aspirations.
Meanwhile, the suspension of large-scale international assistance has had profound impacts on the Afghan economy and people’s livelihoods. Recurrent disasters including severe flooding, prolonged droughts, and earthquakes have only exacerbated the situation. As a result, as of May 2024, close to half of the population (48%) were living below the poverty line and 12.4 million people (nearly 30% of the population) were facing acute food insecurity. More than half of the children (approximately 6.5 million) are without enough to eat.
In many instances, the poorest families have resorted to marrying off their young daughters to older men. The harsh restrictions on women’s dress, freedom of movement, and right to education and work have resulted in a mental health crisis among Afghan women and girls. Nearly 70 percent reported feelings of anxiety, isolation, and depression.
CAI is supporting close to 8,000 children – including over 5,300 girls – to attend primary school where they are learning to read, write, and do basic math.
While the war may have ended, the battle is not over. Each day brave women and girls – and their families – are fighting back. They are demanding education. We must stand with them.
While many international organizations have pulled back their support, or left the country altogether, Central Asia Institute is continuing to stand with Afghan communities we’ve served for decades. The Taliban’s ban on girls’ education beyond Grade 6 has forced us to scale back educational support for older girls and women. But we’ve doubled down on enrolling children, especially girls, in primary school.
Among Central Asia Institute’s greatest concerns is that the Taliban’s harsh restrictions on education will leave an entire generation of Afghan girls (and boys) illiterate and without the skills to participate in society and build a better future. To address this, CAI has been working closely with its in-country partners to establish community-based primary schools.
CAI-supported community-based schools increase access to education, especially for girls, by targeting impoverished and underserved areas where there are no schools or teachers, schools are too far away, or families do not want their girls to attend a government school out of a concern for their safety and security. Our community-based school approach involves:
With generous support from our donors, CAI has enrolled close to 8,000 children – over 5,300 of whom are girls – in over 260 community-based schools. There, they are learning to read, write, and do basic math.
CAI is also supporting over 260 teachers with salaries and training, most of whom are female. These teachers are not just earning income to help support their families; they are also educating the next generation of Afghans.
CAI cannot meet the demand for education, including for girls, in the regions where we work. That’s because Afghan families know that their children’s education is their best hope for a better future, for ending the cycle of poverty. But we cannot do it without your support.
By giving the gift of education to an Afghan child, you are lifting her up, letting her know that she has not been forgotten, and that she holds the key to a better future.
The needs right now are immense. So too is what’s at stake. A gift in any amount makes a difference for an Afghan woman or child.
Jowaira is a second-grade student at the Mochekan Community-Based Education (CBE) class in the remote Versaj District of Takhar Province. Her dedication and enthusiasm shine brightly as she attends the CBE class daily, eager to absorb knowledge and contribute positively to her community.
She is one of over 5,300 Afghan girls currently enrolled in CAI-supported classes and who – with your continued support – will not miss out on a brighter future.
Jowaira’s teacher, Mrs. Ramela, receives a $100 monthly salary that supports her livelihood and allows her to receive training for teaching, social psychology, and child protection.
With your support, brave women like Mrs. Ramela can continue to teach and mentor students like Jowaira, giving hope to communities across Afghanistan.
“The presence of a female teacher within our community has refreshed our hopes for the future and established a strong foundation that motivates us for further growth. Girls in our community are proficient in reading and writing and display enthusiasm for their future endeavors. Furthermore, community elders are mobilized and recognize the importance of girls’ education, actively advocating for it unlike before.” – Mrs. Ramela
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