The programme Empowering Afghan Girls Through Education, developed in collaboration with the Global Campus Alumni network and our partner Right Livelihood, was launched in March 2025. The call for participation received an overwhelming response, with nearly 800 applications from across Afghanistan and neighboring countries with Afghan diaspora communities.
“I want to show myself that everything I am going through is a meaningful setback, not just damage—and that my gender does not define my worth or limit my abilities, I am capable of doing anything I want. Above all, I want to take control of my life and make my own decisions. […] the reality that someone else can decide whether I can study—and ban me from my most basic right, education—makes me even more determined not to give up and to keep going.”
— Dina K., from the essays’ collection developed as part of the educational programme
The programme officially began on April 10 with an orientation session featuring a surprise guest speaker: Dr. Sima Samar, Right Livelihood Laureate, human rights activist, educator, and medical doctor. Fervently believing that education is the key to socio-economic development and sustaining civil society in countries like Afghanistan, Samar was delighted to support the alumnae’s programme and inspire participants. One student expressed her admiration simply: “You are… a hero for us.”
Right Livelihood Laureate Sima Samar during the orientation session, April 2025
The training phase included seven online workshops on university application strategies, personal statement writing, academic skills, and Duolingo English Test preparation. The Duolingo test center generously offered 70 free vouchers, making participation more accessible. From the initial 55 students, 26 advanced to the next phase, 17 successfully completed Duolingo tests, and 20 were selected for a focused mentorship program that began in July. Afghan women leaders in academia and civil society mentored participants, providing tailored guidance to support their educational paths.
“One of the most useful parts of the program for me was the Duolingo English Test preparation sessions. These sessions were incredibly helpful in building my confidence and improving my language skills through clear strategies, regular practice, and personalized feedback.”
— Anonymous student
A participant
Each Afghan girl brought a powerful personal story of how she experienced and interpreted the restrictions and bans on her rights. Recognising the importance of amplifying these voices, our two alumnae collected students’ essays, which were recently featured on the Amplify Afghan Women platform — a collective dedicated to supporting and amplifying marginalised voices.
“We were used to studying together—boys and girls—separated by a board, following the Taliban’s rules. How painful do you think it is when you see your boy classmates allowed to stay and continue learning, but you, just because you are a girl, must leave? It was not just leaving the classroom; it was leaving my dreams, my hope, and everything I had worked for.”
— Nasrin S.
“The essay writing sessions played a key role in improving my writing skills, and with the help of the training, I was able to write a well-structured and strong essay.”
— Anonymous student
The programme primarily seeks to address the critical educational barriers Afghan girls face following the country’s collapse and to pave the way for them to continue their studies. The alumnae also advocate for the inclusion of their voices in shaping their own futures.
One participant, Hadia S., is now studying computer science online at a university in India. She has also begun working as an online project manager at a humanitarian organization, where she wrote a successful proposal that helped secure funding and create job opportunities for sixty girls deprived of education. At the same time, she established a secret class for girls in her community, where she teaches English and mathematics.
“I am Maryam N.H., a girl from Afghanistan, […] a girl who not only fights for herself but also for her community, her country, and the girls of the future. I believe that we Afghan girls are not just victims; we are the leaders of the future. […] The day will come when we will stand in a place where we are decision-makers, a place where no one can take education away from us. And I, Maryam, am stepping towards that day.”
— Maryam N.H.