August 15, 2024 – As we mark three years since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, the situation for women and girls in the country remains dire. The Taliban’s oppressive policies have exacerbated gender apartheid, severely restricted educational opportunities, and driven many to find clandestine ways to pursue learning and empowerment. Yet, amid these challenges, organizations like Sahar Education are making significant strides, offering a glimmer of hope and a path forward for Afghan women and girls.

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Sadaf, age 18, joined the inaugural round of the Stealth Sisters program in July 2022, only months after the Taliban closed schools for girls in Afghanistan. Joining the program was an act of desperation for Sadaf — restrictions on women mounted by the day.

Innovative, courageous organizations and individuals are ensuring that the Taliban’s announcement didn’t mean the end of girls’ educational opportunities. Washington-based nonprofit Sahar’s programs, such as Stealth Sisters, teach English and computer skills.

When the Taliban reclaimed Afghanistan in 2021, Seattle-based Sahar found its mission completely undermined.

For almost 20 years, the nonprofit had worked to educate Afghan girls, denied education under the first Taliban regime in the 1990s. Sahar repaired schools and built new ones, which it turned over to Afghanistan’s education ministry to run.

When the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, it again banned formal education for girls above 6th grade. Sahar is a Seattle-based non-profit that exists to find innovative ways to promote girls' access to education in Afghanistan by partnering with grassroots, locally-based organizations to create educational opportunities and safe learning spaces for girls and women, empowering and inspiring children and their families to build peaceful, thriving communities.

Historically, women have long borne the brunt of social, political and economic instabilities, with very little to no control over the situation. However, to be “officially” banned from a right as basic as getting an education might be unfamiliar to many. Afghanistan is the only country in the world where women are banned from getting an education, for the second time now. What is known of Afghan women are mostly from the post 9/11 narratives, none of which fully represent the gains and the losses that Afghan women have had to go through. From being able to vote in 1919, to gaining the right to equal political and social participation in the 1960s, to a total loss of right to education, employment, and participation in the social and political spheres as a result of the political unrests in the 80s and 90s.

Education is pivotal in promoting gender equality, and Sahar is committed to preventing and combating gender discrimination by supporting girls’ and women’s education in Afghanistan. Education is a fundamental human right; however, it is well known that since the Taliban has taken over Afghanistan, education has once again been taken away from millions of Afghan girls. Currently, formal education is banned for girls above 6th grade in Afghanistan. As an organization expanding access to girls’ Education in Afghanistan for 20 years, we at Sahar are deeply saddened and enraged by the decision. We use strategies to redirect our rage and sadness towards strengthening our efforts of providing girls’ access to quality education.