Sign up

Have some pie!

Afghan women offered chance to continue learning

The Taliban’s ban on university education for Afghan women has sparked outrage across the international education sector, with many organisations pledging to do more to help.

A scholarship program, developed by the German Academic Exchange Service, aims to assist 5,000 people by the end of 2027. Photo: iStock

Over 1,200 free courses are available to Afghan women via FutureLearn

FutureLearn announced in December it would offer women from Afghanistan free access to over 1,200 courses on its digital learning platform for the duration of the ban.

In Germany, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development has pledged €7 million of funding to support Afghan women by helping them to continue their education in a neighbouring country – Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan or Pakistan.

The scholarship program, developed by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), aims to assist 5,000 people by the end of 2027.

Joybrato Mukherjee, DAAD president, said that the current situation is “catastrophic” for the people of Afghanistan.

“Young women in particular have been hit hard. It is hardly possible for them to participate in social life anymore. Since they have been excluded from universities, they also lack any academic training opportunities,” he said.

The Taliban claims the ban is not permanent, but is instead a postponement which will last “until a conducive environment is created for their education”.

“The new scholarship program is therefore an important building block in enabling young women, together with our international partner organisations, to prepare for university and to support Afghan women refugees with bachelor’s and master’s scholarships at universities in the region,” Mukherjee added.

Jo Johnson, who became chairman of FutureLearn after its acquisition by Global University Systems last year, said that “for girls and women who can access the internet and afford the time”, the free access to courses online “could be a lifeline”. However, he acknowledged that it’s an imperfect solution to a complex issue.

“While this is of course no silver bullet – poor connectivity, poverty and language barriers mean many women may not be able to access the material – it can nonetheless play a valuable part in enabling women in Afghanistan to assert their inalienable human right to education,” Johnson said.

Mark Malloch-Brown, president of the Open Society Foundation, a non-profit organisation which financially supports civil society groups globally, welcomed the initiative.

“The Taliban think the world has forgotten them; we mustn’t”

“The Taliban think the world has forgotten them; we mustn’t,” said Malloch-Brown.

“This commendable move by FutureLearn to open up its platform to women denied their rights under this regime will play a useful part in keeping education within reach of those with an internet connection. It is a welcome sign that our commitment to fighting for human rights for all Afghans remains strong.”

A spokesperson for FutureLearn told The PIE that in the first week since launching, FutureLearn experienced a 700% increase in visits from Afghanistan, resulting in over 2,100 new registrations and 1,800 enrolments. It also received over 2000 direct enquiries from Afghanistan learners.

“These numbers continue to multiply,” the spokesperson added.

The DAAD announcement comes weeks after leading academic rights organisation Scholars at Risk called for an immediate expansion of international scholarships for Afghans.

In December, the foreign ministers of Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, the US, and the High Representative of the European Union, released a statement condemning the ban.

They urged the Taliban to “abandon the new oppressive measures with respect to university education for women and girls and to, without delay, reverse the existing decision to prohibit girls’ access to secondary school”.

“A stable, economically viable, and peaceful Afghanistan is only attainable and sustainable if all Afghans, including women and girls, can fully, equally, and meaningfully participate in and contribute to the country’s future and development,” the statement continued.

US-based IIE is continuing its support for Afghan women and girls, through a variety of programs, and said it is “pursuing every avenue to expedite aid to Afghan women and girls banned from accessing higher education”.

“Education unlocks a future. To deny women and girls access to higher education is to deny them basic human rights. Higher education is a pathway to independence, self-agency, and socio-economic mobility,” IIE said.

The IIE’s Odyssey Scholarship, open to refugees and displaced peoples around the world, covers tuition, accommodation and living expenses for students studying towards a four-year bachelor’s degree or a two-year master’s degree. Since launching in 2021, it has sponsored over 40 refugee and displaced students from eight countries. Some 23 recipients are Afghan students, including 12 females, who are stuyding at institutions in the US, Canada, Mexico, Bangladesh, and Vietnam.

While the scholarship package is open to Afghans, IIE’s Qatar Scholarship for Afghans Project is focused solely on helping Afghans continue their education in the US, with an equal split of male and female recipients.

The project, which is in collaboration with Education Above All, The Afghan Future Fund, Schmidt Futures, the Yalda Hakim Foundation, the Qatar Fund For Development and Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, welcomed its first cohort of 250 students during the 2022/23 academic year.

IIE’s Emergency Student Fund supports students studying in the US impacted by crises abroad and has awarded 114  grants to students impacted by the situation in Afghanistan, 36 of whom are women.

In addition to this, the IIE Scholar Rescue Fund is also open to threatened and displaced Afghan scholars, arranging and funding fellowships at global partnering higher education institutions. In 2022, the initiative received a record number of requests for support and for the sixth year in a row, annual applications have more than doubled. The fund is currently supporting 45 scholars from Afghanistan, 12 of which are women.

“We have seen the higher education community rise in support of their peers in need, opening their doors and hearts to bring fellow scholars and students to safety and ensure they can continue their learning. But more can be done” A. Sarah Ilchman, IIE’s co-president, told The PIE.

Afghan men working in the education sector in Afghanistan have shown solidarity with their female counterparts and students, with The Guardian reporting that some 60 Afghan men have quit university positions in protest of the ban.

 

Related articles

Still looking? Find by category:

Add your comment

14 Responses to Afghan women offered chance to continue learning

  1. Hello, I am Saha Hamidi. I am Afghan girl.I graduated from school in 2021. As you know Talibans closed the school and universities. I can’t continue my studies in Afghanistan. Now I live in Pakistan. I have my secondary school three years number transcript. Due to the economic problems of my family, I cannot continue my studies.Therefore, I want you to include me in the scholarships that you announced to continue my education in any field of study that you provide for me.

  2. This is Muhibullah Roshaan, a father of 3 girls, one in University, one has graduated from 12th grade, and one in 8th grade.
    The Scholarships and free courses will surely help Afghan girls attaining their dreams of becoming highly educated; but please make the requirements easy for enrollments of BS and Masters’ degrees.

  3. Hello, I am Asifa batori from Afghanistan and live in Afghanistan. I graduatedp from school in 2021 and and it was the first year of my university that i finished computer science and now, universities are band for women and I am at home cannot go outside and it is vry disappointed for me. I heard about this scholarship please help me to get a scholarship that can continue my education and reach in my dreams..

  4. This is Maryam Ainy.Former journalist in Afghanistan Times a media/Tv agency in kabul,Afghanistan.
    I love my work in journalism and I want to help my suffering women in Afghanistan with business opportunities. I hope to continue my profession in America and become a successful and famous journalist doing good for others. This is my biggest dream.I’m currently in Pakistan.

  5. Hi I am Nazanin Alami graduated from high school a girl who wants to try for Future but after coming Taliban I don’t have any chance to study and do sports. I wan to improve as a person but It is not possible for I am a girl under Taliban goverment, so I need your help for me and all the girls like me. Thanks

  6. As my security not good in my own country, I came to Pakistan a few months ago and I live here with many difficulties. Also I don’t have access to education.

  7. Respected Authorities
    With due reverence, as the new government of Afghanistan ban the female education all across the country. At this time I (Pakistan female) are getting my medical (MD) education from Afghanistan. I went to Afghanistan just for a reason that I can’t afford the expenses of medical education in Pakistan as I belongs to poor family. So now it’s impossible for me to get medical education in private sector of Pakistan. After the all circumstances being creat by afghan Government and I can’t continue my study further more.
    Therefore it is humbly requested to you to take special interest in the matter and to take some action for my further education please 🥺.

  8. Hello, I am Freshta Nazari. I am from Afghanistan currently residing in Pakistan due to some safety issues. After I took Kankor examination(university entrance exam) taliban took over the country and left us with no choice but immigration. Since the fall of government, I have been seeking for an opportunity to continue my education and would appreciate any support. As my information, the UNHCR office won’t issue POR, which concerns me the most, while most of the universities requires it. Beside the financial problems, lack of documentation ( passport and POR) make it seem impossible to make an attempt in taking TOEFL or even applying to any universities.
    I would appreciate any guidance and support.
    Thank you so much,
    Freshta Nazari

  9. Hello, I am female student my name is Maimona SAHAR from Afghanistan and live in Afghanistan. I was 4th year 2nd semester student of MD, the Taliban baned all the education for women, now I am at home cannot go outside and it is very disappointed for me. I heard about this scholarship please help me to get a scholarship that can continue my education and reach in my dreams..

  10. Hello, I am Diana Jamili. I was in 8th grade when Taliban conquered Afghanistan; therefore, I have not been permitted by Taliban to continue my studies. Before Taliban took over Afghanistan, I had achieved my diplomas in English language skills and computer skills, Microsoft Office Programs. Please, take my hand and other Afghan girls. We are desperately looking for an opportunity to continue learning and not to let illiteracy dominate again in Afghanistan. Do not look away!

  11. Hello, my name is maryam i was student of 10th semester Curativ (MD). when Taliban come to Afghanistan they close the door of univeristy for all girls, now i have been not permitted by Tailban to complete my education furthermore, i had achieved 4GP in every semester, i kindly request from your organization to give me chance to continue my study.
    Regard, Maryam ABRZ.

  12. Hello, I hope you are doing well. I am Mahsa Ayoub a high school graduated afghan girl that has lots of ambitions and goals, I wanted to attend the university to complete my bachelor degree but after Taliban banned girls and women from attending universities I completely lost my hope and I don’t what to do, how reach my goals. Think of my dark future and other girls like me. Please help me to receive a scholarship to continue my education..

  13. Sallam ,I am tahira . I have completed my Bs degree in Psychology . In 2021 i got married in Afghanistan .I had planned to do my master degree in Afghanistan but unfortunately Taliban banned our education. Now i am in pakistan i can’t start my studies in pakistan due to some issues …I am looking forward German scholarship.

Leave a Reply to Sumbal sanobar Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Disclaimer: All user contributions posted on this site are those of the user ONLY and NOT those of The PIE Ltd or its associated trademarks, websites and services. The PIE Ltd does not necessarily endorse, support, sanction, encourage, verify or agree with any comments, opinions or statements or other content provided by users.
PIENEWS

To receive The PIE Weekly with our top stories and insights, and other updates from us, please

SIGN UP HERE