By Natalie Meyer
As a college student, education profoundly changed and shaped my life. My classes have taught me to think critically, ask questions, and imagine new possibilities for myself. But more importantly, education has given me a sense of autonomy. It’s empowered me to take ownership of my voice, my decisions, and the life I hope to build. The current state of girls in Afghanistan is unjust and as an educated woman, I care deeply about the human right for every girl to have an educational foundation.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, girls in Afghanistan have been banned from attending school past Grade 6. This decision forced more than 1.4 million girls out of school, and the consequences have seeped into every aspect of life (UNESCO, 2024). Today, Afghanistan is the only country in the world that bars girls from secondary education (Malala Fund, 2025).
Central Asia Institute (CAI), where I’m interning this summer, works to advance education and economic opportunity for women and girls. In Afghanistan, this work has become increasingly difficult. Despite the Taliban’s harsh restrictions, CAI continues to support local partners and offer alternative forms to learning and vocational training, equipping women with the skills to earn an income and support their families. We remain committed to ensuring that women and girls continue to have access to knowledge and skills, even under the most restrictive conditions.
The situation has recently been further compounded by the suspension of U.S. foreign aid programs, travel restrictions, and the revocation of temporary protection status for Afghan refugees (NPR, 2025). These cuts and restrictions have and will continue to impact vital education initiatives and the livelihoods of Afghan women everywhere. In some cases, students who have already relocated abroad to further their education at universities now face uncertainty or possible return to a country where their education and safety are no longer guaranteed (BBC, 2025).
Girls’ education is a proven investment in community resilience, economic development, and peacebuilding. According to USAID, investing in education helps prevent extremism by addressing root causes like poverty and lack of opportunity. Educated women lead to healthier families, stronger economies, and more stable societies.
There is a shared responsibility to help sustain the educational progress the U.S. supported in Afghanistan over the past 20 years. Closing the door would be a significant betrayal of our investment in the literacy and wellbeing of millions of Afghan women and girls. Continued support helps uphold that legacy and ensures that years of progress are not lost.
I believe in education not only because of what it’s done for me, but also because I believe in the right of every girl everywhere to feel confident in herself, capable in her future, and free to learn.
*Natalie Meyer is a rising junior at Princeton University where she is studying Anthropology. She is a summer intern at CAI.
Join Central Asia Institute for a special, FREE Zoom event featuring CAI Executive Director, Alice Thomas, and Ambassador Adela Raz, Director of the Afghan Policy Lab at Princeton University on Tuesday, August 5th at 1pm PDT / 2pm MDT / 3pm CDT / 4pm EDT.
Women globally are under attack. Even in developed countries like the United States, the fight for basic rights like equal pay and access to healthcare continues. But nowhere in the world is the situation worse for women and girls than in Afghanistan.
While many international organizations have pulled back their support, or left the country altogether, Central Asia Institute continues to stand with the Afghan communities we’ve served for decades. We’ve seen firsthand that the most effective strategy for fighting the Taliban’s restrictive policies is by educating Afghan girls. After all, an educated female is more likely not only to fight for a better future for herself and her family but for her country, as well.
The Taliban’s ban on girls’ education beyond Grade 6 has forced us to scale back some of our educational support, but we have countered that setback by inaugurating a livelihood/entrepreneurship program to help create income-producing opportunities for older girls and women. Please join us on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, to learn more about how Central Asia Institute is adapting and reshaping our programs in Afghanistan.
Watch a recording of this event:
By Bella Pich
Nowruz, meaning “New Day”, is the Persian New Year celebrated on the spring equinox, marking the beginning of spring and the start of the new year in the Persian calendar. This festival, which is over 3,000 years old, has roots in Zoroastrianism, and symbolizes revival, rebirth, and hope for prosperity. Nowruz is observed by an estimated 300 million people across the globe including the countries where CAI works.
Although there are many traditions associated with Nowruz, food is a large part of the festivities. Rather than a single main dish, Nowruz features an array of foods, including the Half-sin table spread, Haft Mewa, and Sumanak, shown below.
Photo Credit: Pouya Jabbarisani
For Afghans, one of the true symbols of the New Year is a simple dish called Haft Mewa, which includes a mixture of seven different nuts and fruits. Traditionally Haft Mewa ingredients are black and yellow raisins, senjid (the dried fruit of the oleaster tree), pistachios, walnuts, almonds, and dried apricot. Not only is it delicious, but it’s an expression of hope, resilience and an unwavering belief in fresh beginnings. It’s a must have to ring in the Afghan New Year!
In Pakistan, Nowruz is celebrated by Ismaili, Shia, and some Hazara and Baloch communities. The themes of purity and rebirth are central to the celebrations, reflected in activities such as cleaning, sewing new clothes, planting trees, and decorating eggs. On the day before Nowruz, it’s common to visit the graves of relatives to honor and remember loved ones who have passed. Similar to traditions in Iran and Afghanistan, families come together to share a celebratory meal. In Pakistan, Samani is one of the featured dishes and is made from wheat. Colored eggs are also a staple food item that symbolizes each family member. At least seven dishes are served at these celebratory gatherings.
Finally, in Tajikistan, Sumanak (also known as sumalak) is a type of ritual food made from germinated wheat grains and is the most common dish served by Tajiks. Men are not allowed to partake in the ritual ceremony related to preparing the Sumanak, as it’s believed their presence would be a bad omen. The long process of Sumanak cooking usually includes singing, music, and poetry.
Meaning “festival of breaking the fast” in Arabic, Eid al-Fitr is a two-to-three-day celebration marking the end of Ramadan, one of the holiest times of the Muslim calendar, during which fasting, prayer, and reflection are heavily prioritized.
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated with special morning prayers, as well as delicious foods and gifts for one’s family or those in need. It’s also considered a time of forgiveness, where Muslims are encouraged to forgive and seek forgiveness. In countries with larger Muslim populations, Eid al-Fitr is considered a national holiday, closing schools and businesses and allowing families, neighbors, and friends able to partake in the festivities together.
Central Asia Institute wishes everyone who celebrates a joyful Nowruz and Eid al-Fitr. With the advent of spring, students across the regions we serve begin going back to school. While the festivities of the season are cause for celebration, we urge you not to forget the girls and women of Afghanistan, who are still being denied the opportunity to pursue their education past grade 6. We hope you, like CAI, remain steadfast in your support for them.
Central Asia Institute
Sources:
Afghan Culture Unveiled. (n.d.). Nowruz. Afghan Culture Unveiled. Retrieved from https://www.afghancultureunveiled.com/humaira-ghilzai/tag/Nowruz
BBC Newsround. (2023, March 30). Eid al-Fitr: What is it and why is it celebrated?. BBC Newsround. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/68761299
Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF). (n.d.). What is Eid al-Fitr? PCRF. Retrieved from https://www.pcrf.net/information-you-should-know/what-is-eid-al-fitr.html
The Independent. (2022, March 19). Happy Nowruz: Five traditional foods to eat to celebrate Persian New Year 2022. Retrieved from https://www.the-independent.com/life-style/food-and-drink/nowruz-2022-food-iranian-recipes-b2038862.html
Travel Pakistani. (n.d.). Nowruz Festival in Pakistan – All you need to know. Retrieved from https://travelpakistani.com/blogs/nowruz-festival-in-pakistan—all-you-need-to-know/76
University of Central Asia. (n.d.). National Festivals of the Tajiks Through the Ages. Retrieved from https://ucentralasia.org/media/s22fgoai/chhu-rp-4-eng.pdf