Empower Afghan Girls with Computer Training

The last year and a half has brought many challenges for Afghans, particuarly Afghan girls. Most schools in northern Afghanistan continued to operate for girls through grade 12 until new rulings were issued at the end of 2022. In December, an announcement was made that girls could no longer attend university.

The school year was ending at the time of the announcement as Afghanistan's school year runs from March through December. Schools closed for the winter break and girls throughout the nation grieved the prospect of their future without access to education. 

As the school year was set to resume in March, many were hopeful that the ruling would be changed so girls could complete their education and continue on to university. Sadly, this has yet to happen in the public school system. Although there are some avenues for education for girls in private schools or courses, throughout the nation most girls beyond 6th grade do not have access to education in public schools. 

AAFF's computer training courses are operating in public schools with permission from officials. In the new year, we were given permission to resume operation of the computer centers for whatever ages of girls were permitted to attend.

Currently, two hundred 4th-6th grade girls in the two schools are attending the computer training courses. 

One of the 6th grade students reported,

"This is the first time I am learning how to use a computer. I am familiar with little things, but I believe that in the end of this course I will be able to do complex computer activities. This course has really made me hopeful for the future. Nowadays, in our country, girls are not allowed to go to school. They do not care about girls' education, but there are those who have understood the fact that girls also need education. Girls are part of the society, and they need to be familiar with new technologies so that they can create a bright and shining future for themselves. I am thankful for AAFF for providing this opportunity for us."

We are hopeful that there will be opportunities to resume providing computer training courses for older girls. We are thankful for the opportunity to continue the centers and to provide younger girls the opportunity to gain this important skill. Learning computer literacy now will make it possible for online learning in the future. 

Thank you for partnering with AAFF to support and empower Afghan girls in their education. 

Links:

• Informational video about the computer training courses