The Taliban have banned Afghan girls from schools and universities, completely blocking their access to formal education. Girls are not allowed to attend school, and universities are officially closed to them. This is not just a challenge—it is a humanitarian catastrophe. But while the Taliban say no, Change Makers of the World and our dedicated volunteer team are saying yes. We are working tirelessly to provide education through online and secret in-person classes across Afghanistan.

On February 1, 2025, we held an online meeting with students from our programs in Afghanistan. Reza Hussaini, one of our founders, joined from the United States to speak with the students. He listened to their stories of resilience, heard about the struggles they face—including constant fear, financial struggles, and internet access issues—and offered motivation and support. He also presented future plans and opportunities that we are working on to further expand our programs.

Over the past months, we have been running language courses (English, Italian, German, etc.), academic subjects (math, physics, chemistry, etc.), and empowerment workshops to help girls secure scholarships and plan their futures. During the meeting, students shared their aspirations and the impact these classes have had on their lives.

One of our most important initiatives is the Afghan Girl Coders project, which trains Afghan girls in coding and computer science for six months. This program is designed to last at least a year and a half, giving students a chance to gain valuable skills that the Taliban want to deny them. The goal of this program is to prepare Afghan girls for independence by helping them enter the job market, particularly in online and remote work. Given the restrictions imposed on them, we are focusing on creating opportunities where they can work from home using their skills in computer science, programming, and technology.

In addition to technical education, we are also running empowerment programs that help students build confidence, manage stress, and develop leadership skills. This combination of technical training and personal development ensures that they are not only skilled but also prepared to navigate their futures with resilience and determination. Dozens of Afghan girls are currently enrolled in this program, and we are actively working to expand it to reach even more students in the future.

To expand opportunities, we are working on potential collaborations with Coursera, Google, and other organizations to provide more resources. We have submitted proposals and are actively reaching out to these platforms to establish partnerships that can help Afghan girls gain better access to education and career opportunities. These plans were part of the discussions during the meeting, reinforcing our commitment to broadening access to education.

Due to security concerns, we cannot always share reports or images, but our work continues every single day. Change Makers of the World is committed to ensuring that Afghan girls receive an education, no matter what obstacles are put in their way.

Education is a right, and we will not stop until every Afghan girl has the opportunity to learn and build a better future.

For more information, please visit our website at www.cmworld.org.

#LetAfghanGirlsLearn

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