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 Now that U.S. and NATO forces have withdrawn and the Taliban has regained power, women and girls fear a return to the brutal repression of freedoms and rights they experienced two decades ago.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 […]
Muallim Radio Program
Children in Pakistan tune in and learn Picture a group of young children hunkered down around a radio listening to their favorite program. The scene could be reminiscent of your parents or grandparents when they were children. Radios might seem like an outdated technology in today’s digital age. Yet while children in the United States […]
Join us in welcoming Adnan Ahmed to CAI’s board of directors
We are pleased to welcome Adnan Ahmed to Central Asia Institute’s board of directors. Adnan is an experienced CEO and brings with him over 25 years of experience leading teams to create transformational growth at Fortune 500 companies and startups. He is currently CEO of Blue Top Capital, a private equity investment company. Read Adnan’s […]
In Afghanistan women are being targeted for assassination
Violence is not new to Afghanistan. But the recent spate of targeted killings of some of the country’s best and brightest – many of them women – is a new cause for concern. Journalists, judges, and human rights activists have all been targeted or threatened. No group has formally claimed responsibility for the assassinations, but […]
What’s at stake in the Afghan Peace Process?
By Belquis Ahmadi, Senior Program Officer at United States Institute of Peace Belquis Ahmadi In Afghanistan, one of the most significant gains made in the past two decades has been the increase in girls’ access to education. While the focus has been on the numbers of girls gaining access, little has been said about the change […]
Top 10 Reasons To Support Girls’ Education
Madonna announced she plans to sell a 1921 cubist painting, “Three Women,” by Fernand Léger to help raise money for girls’ education projects in Pakistan and Afghanistan. The singer said she wanted to “trade something valuable for something invaluable.”
In Wake of Taliban Peace Talks, Afghan Women Hope Basic Human Rights Still Theirs
Earlier this year the United States commenced peace negotiations with the Taliban in the hope of ending its 18-year military engagement in Afghanistan. While peace is on the table, other pressing issues are also at stake, namely the future of Afghanistan’s women. Of utmost concern among the Afghan people is the possibility that the Taliban […]
Education For Peace: Top 10 Ways Education Promotes Peace
Over the holidays, we often see images of doves, that well known symbol of peace and tranquility, and we hear mentions of good will towards others and peace on earth. It’s as if hearts around the world soften during this time of year, and family, friends, and gratitude come to the forefront.