The Power Granted to Some
The Taliban Regime, notorious for its extreme religious views and conservative vision for its country, has spared no cost to mold the Afghanistan of their dreams. Women have been silenced, banned from the workforce, and forced to become prisoners in their own homes. The potential to be a thriving nation with abundant economic opportunity and global standing has been eroded at the hands of the de facto government. In the midst of the war the Taliban has waged on its people, there has been one recipient granted the privilege of mercy: young Afghan men.
Underground TechSheroes: Tools for Empowerment
In Afghanistan, girls have been banned from schools since 2021, but women and girls continue to procure access to computers, technology, and the internet; programs like Sahar’s Underground TechSheroes have created a lifeline for them, teaching them foundational skills in information technology and coding, so that they can maintain a connection to the outside world and take advantage of work opportunities to advance their position.
It is perhaps even more significant that, in addition to the IT skill-building that this program provides, it works in concert with Sahar’s empowerment program to give Afghan women hope for the future, and a drive to move forward, share knowledge, and build community. Participants report that prior to taking classes, they lacked confidence, experienced depression, and felt isolated, but following participation in the program, they became empowered to use their new skills to seek and thrive in employment. The program has served 585 girls so far, and continues to grow in reach.