Under the Taliban, an abhorrent act of violence against girls gains legitimacy
By Alice Thomas, Executive Director, Central Asia Institute On May 14, the Taliban published a decree that effectively validates child marriage in Afghanistan. Decree No. 18, “Code on the Judicial Separation of Spouses,” doesn’t explicitly state that child marriage is permissible. It does, however, include a provision stating that a child who is married can […]
Growth With Every Stitch: Fotima’s Story
In the remote village of Derzud in Tajikistan’s Gorno-Badakhshan region, Fotima—a 37-year-old mother of two—is redefining what it means to build a business from the ground up. Through the centuries-old craft of garment making, she has not only transformed her own livelihood but has also inspired change across her community. Fotima’s journey started in 2013 […]
Announcing Our 2025 Impact Report
We’re excited to announce that Central Asia Institute’s Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Impact Report is now available! With the faithful support of caring donors like you, Central Asia Institute changed thousands of lives for the better in 2025. In these pages, you’ll see the power of partnership in action: girls from remote villages returning as teachers […]
Resilience through Entrepreneurship: Saida’s Transformation into an Independent Businesswoman
In the village of Eitarchi, sheltered by the towering Hindu Kush and Pamir Mountains in Badakhshan, Afghanistan, lives Saida, an entrepreneur whose dedication to self-reliance transformed her life and her community. At just 24 years old, Saida had already endured more than most. After her husband divorced her from afar, she was sent back to […]
Facing Gender Apartheid, Rural Afghan Women Need Our Support
By Seelai Karzai Across Afghanistan today, women face some of the most severe restrictions on their rights to education, healthcare, work, and freedom of movement in the world. These conditions are so severe that they amount to gender apartheid—a term that has not yet been defined in international law, but which accurately describes the repressive […]
Seeds of Change: How Sumeera Turned Education into Empowerment
In the quiet village of Rangha, nestled among the rugged mountains of Baltistan, Pakistan, lives Sumeera, a teacher whose passion for learning has transformed her classroom and her community. Born into a family that valued education, Sumeera began her teaching career after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree. Determined to grow in her field, she […]
A School at Her Doorstep: Mida’s Journey to Educate Her Village
In the remote village of Kazdan, tucked high in the rugged mountains of Badakhshan, Afghanistan, education has long been out of reach for most children. The nearest public school is far away, and with few teachers available, many children have grown up never learning to read or write. For years, Mida Gul watched this happen […]
Announcing Our 2024 Impact Report
We’re excited to announce that Central Asia Institute’s Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Impact Report is now available! With the faithful support of caring donors like you, Central Asia Institute changed thousands of lives for the better in 2024. Your love of education opened the doors to new possibilities and opportunities for children and adults born into […]
Freeze on Foreign Aid Spending
We have received emails and calls from many of our supporters regarding the recent freeze on U.S. foreign aid, asking whether it has affected CAI’s programs. Fortunately, thanks to the generosity and unwavering commitment of individual Americans like you, CAI does not rely on the U.S. government for our funding. Instead, you are the ones […]
Beheshta’s Joyful Transformation
Nine-year-old Beheshta is a second-grade student at a CAI-sponsored community-based school in Badakhshan, Afghanistan. A bright student interested in learning, she quickly excelled in reading. However, Beheshta’s teacher noticed that the child was suffering and seemed to be in constant physical distress. She reported the situation to the local Child Protection (CP) team and a […]