Help Educate Women & Girls in Afghanistan

Over the past 20 years, Sahar has worked to build, repair, and supply the needs of 25 girls’ schools in Balkh province of Afghanistan while also training teachers and improving the curriculum. In communities where the literacy rate for women continues to be low, Sahar has run programs that focus on literacy and vocational training.

After the Taliban’s takeover of the country, Sahar had to make the difficult choice of putting the programs on hold. We have started to resume our programs carefully and strategically by partnering with grassroot organizations in Afghanistan. Currently, Sahar is working collaboratively with these organizations and equipping them with evidence-informed curricula, project management, training, and support to help advance their efforts across the country. Sahar is also aware of the risks that are associated with any United States-based organizations working in Afghanistan (and their grassroots partners). Therefore, Sahar is trying to adapt alternative ways of implementing the programs and mitigate the risks.

We are currently supporting the operations of two mobile schools that serve nearly 500 children who are members of a nomadic tribe who have not had access to education prior to this effort.  Founded by a remarkable young Afghan woman, these schools are teaching basic literacy skills to girls and boys of all ages. Additionally, we are currently finalizing partnerships with two other Afghan-led organizations in central and eastern Afghanistan to support girls’ schooling and provide women with vocational training. We also plan to resume our previous programs by collaborating with our partners.

The ban on girls’ schools in Afghanistan should not stop organizations and individuals from supporting and promoting girls’ education. Thank you for helping Sahar provide access to education for girls and women in Afghanistan. 

Dear Friend of Sahar,

Thank you for your on-going support of Sahar Education. Your generous contributions are especially important as we juggle the challenges brought on by the current crisis in Afghanistan. 

Since the Taliban takeover and due to the recent increase in security concerns across Afghanistan, we have made the difficult decision to halt program operations and the construction of our boarding school indefinitely. We have continued to support our Afghan staff during this time. The safety of our staff is our priority. 

As members of our community, donors, and champions of girls’ education, we ask you to join us and continue your commitment to Sahar during these challenging times. With support like yours, over 250,000 girls have attended our schools and programs over 20 years. Even in difficult times, the power that comes from educating a girl is not erased. We remain in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan, especially the girls and women. Sahar believes in the future of Afghanistan and its people and we must support them now in every way possible. 

We are actively developing plans to resume operations adjusting to the new reality, including assessing the feasibility of working on projects with partners in Afghanistan, prioritizing local organizations and grassroot initiatives. We plan to continue our work in country when it is safe and permissible; now our urgent need is to reimagine what that looks like.

We are incredibly grateful to have you on this journey with us. 

Gratefully, 

Malahat Mazaher

Executive Director, Sahar