1 year ago
Afghan Women Embrace Online Education After Taliban Ban
After the Taliban banned girls from attending schools and universities in Afghanistan, many women are turning to online courses.
One initiative, Afghan Geeks, teaches computer coding in Dari.
Another, Vision Online University, provides various subjects to over 4,000 students.
These programs offer women skills, knowledge, and potential online work opportunities.
Although it's difficult to get funding and stable internet, both initiatives work hard to empower Afghan women through education.
Taliban restrictions in Afghanistan, including a ban on women's education beyond primary school, led women to seek online learning.
Murtaza Jafari, an Afghan refugee in Greece, founded Afghan Geeks to provide free online computer coding courses in Dari for Afghan women.
Afghan Geeks offers courses and helps students find online internships and jobs, addressing the employment ban.
Vision Online University, founded by Zuhal and a university professor, provides various free online courses to over 4,000 students.
Both initiatives operate without funding, and despite challenges, aim to empower Afghan women through education and skill development.
- Who
- Afghan women seeking education, Murtaza Jafari, and Zuhal, founders of online educational platforms.
- What
- Afghan women are accessing online education following the Taliban's ban on traditional schooling.
- Where
- Afghanistan, with online learning platforms based in Greece and elsewhere.
- When
- Since the Taliban's restrictions in 2021.
- Why
- To continue education, gain skills, and find opportunities for online work in the face of restrictions.
Taliban
Advocates
Education Access
Taliban
Restrictions on women's education beyond primary school.
Advocates
Advocates for online education to allow women to learn and gain new skills.
Key facts
- Education Ban
- Implemented by the Taliban in Afghanistan
- Afghan Geeks Founder
- Murtaza Jafari
- Afghan Geeks Students
- 28
- Vision Online University Students
- Over 4,000
- Vision Online University Staff
- 150
Quotes
Zuhal
A 20-year-old Afghan woman who uses a nickname for safety and co-founded an online academy.
“Then I thought (to) myself that this is not the solution. If I get depressed, that will not be helpful, not for me and not for other girls.”
indianexpress.com
“I was depressed because nothing was available. There was no school, no university, no courses. And that really affected me.”
indianexpress.com
Murtaza Jafari
The 25-year-old founder of Afghan Geeks, a company offering online coding courses.
“Those clients were happy that they are contributing in a meaningful goal. So the goal was to support women. … And that’s why they keep coming back for other projects that they have.”
indianexpress.com
“The main goal was to give back to the community, especially to the Afghan women, what I had received from the other people for free.”
indianexpress.com
Sodaba
A pharmacology student in Afghanistan who found hope in a free online coding course.
“I believe a person should not be (bowed) by circumstance, but should grow and get their dreams through every possible way.”
indianexpress.com
“helped me regain my confidence and clarity in my direction.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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