By Allie Renar, Sahar Education
Afghanistan is facing one of the most severe gender apartheid regimes in modern history. Since the Taliban regained power in 2021, Afghan women and girls have been systematically erased from public life—barred from education, employment, and even the freedom to move independently. The world is witnessing an extreme rollback of women’s rights, where generations of progress are being wiped out.
Yet, despite these oppressive restrictions, Sahar Education is keeping hope alive. By offering underground and virtual education programs, Sahar is ensuring that Afghan women and girls can continue to learn, build independence, and prepare for a future beyond the bans imposed on them.
Education as Resistance
While formal schooling remains off-limits for Afghan girls, Sahar Education’s initiatives provide vital alternative pathways:
- Threads of Hope offers literacy, tailoring, and rights education, equipping women with the skills to generate income and gain self-confidence. Before joining, only 38% of participants recognized women’s rights as human rights—by the end, this number soars to 97%.
- Underground Tech Sheroes teaches Afghan schoolgirls computer literacy and digital skills, ensuring they remain prepared for future employment opportunities. Beyond technical training, the program fosters confidence, leadership, and advocacy for women’s rights.
- Secret Scholars Online is a covert virtual learning platform for girls who cannot attend school. From beginner-level education to TOEFL preparation, this program provides a rare chance for Afghan girls to continue their studies safely from their homes.
These programs do more than impart knowledge—they empower women to reclaim their voices, assert their rights, and build a future despite the restrictions imposed upon them.
Beyond Education: A Holistic Approach to Empowerment
Recognizing that education alone is not enough, Sahar has expanded its impact with two groundbreaking initiatives:
- The Empowerment Bridge is a crucial support system, connecting students with mental health resources, domestic violence assistance, and career opportunities. It provides women with guides on navigating abuse, seeking psychological support, and accessing educational and employment pathways. By integrating these resources into existing programs, Sahar ensures Afghan women receive the holistic support they need to thrive despite adversity.
- Thrive, launched in partnership with Coursera, grants Afghan women and girls access to free online courses across various fields, including language learning, business, computer science, and social sciences. With lessons available in both English and Farsi and offline learning options for those with limited internet access, Thrive allows women to continue their education even as the Taliban bans them from universities.
These programs extend Sahar’s reach beyond traditional education, ensuring Afghan women have the resources and opportunities to build independent futures despite the systemic restrictions placed upon them.
Engaging Men as Allies in Change
Sahar Education also understands that true gender equality requires cultural and societal transformation. The Men as Partners in Change program educates high school-aged boys on women’s rights, fostering a generation of male allies who challenge harmful norms and advocate for gender equality. By engaging men in this movement, Sahar is building a foundation for long-term societal change where women’s rights are valued and protected.
A Future Built on Resilience
Sahar’s impact extends beyond numbers—it is about real lives transformed. Students like Raghba, who once lost all hope after schools closed, now have a renewed sense of purpose through Secret Scholars Online. Sohaila, once confined by fear, now confidently engages with the outside world, defying the restrictions imposed on her. Soghra, who had never touched a computer before, now navigates the digital world with confidence, ready to take on future opportunities.
These stories illustrate the true power of education—not just as a means of learning, but as an act of resistance against oppression.
Join the Movement
Afghanistan’s women need global solidarity. By supporting organizations like Sahar Education, you can help Afghan women and girls continue their fight for education, independence, and equality. Whether through donations, advocacy, or amplifying their stories, every effort makes a difference.
The Taliban may try to silence Afghan women, but their voices, dreams, and resilience cannot be erased. Through education, empowerment, and global support, Afghan women are proving that their future is still theirs to claim.