Children on the Edge is working alongside Afghanistan Education Action, who are providing education online to over 800 women and girls currently denied their right to an education in Afghanistan.
DONATE TODAYYou can help to provide education and hope to girls in Afghanistan who have been denied their right to an education.
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Since their return to power in 2021, the Taliban have decimated the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan.
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Children on the Edge are working alongside Angela Ghayour, the founder of Herat Online School, to support her organisation - Afghanistan Education Action with their vital work. Your donation will help fund the ongoing work of both the Herat Online School and the new 'International School' .
If you wish to donate or transfer funds in a different way (e.g. via BACS), please get in touch with us:
Email: [email protected] or call 01243 538530 ext 210.
If you wish to donate or transfer funds in a different way (e.g. via BACS), please get in touch with us:
Email: [email protected] or call 01243 538530 ext 210.
ABOUT AFGHANISTAN EDUCATION ACTION
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Afghanistan Education Action provides quality education for women and girls in Afghanistan, while championing human rights.
Two online schools currently provide education to over 800 students, aged between 13 and 35 years old. 70% of them are women and girls, who attend classes delivered by over 200 volunteer teachers, on a wide range of subjects, from the safety of their homes. The Herat Online School was established in August 2021 in response to the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and a new 'International School' aims to offer formal qualifications. The schools are providing a lifeline for students in Afghanistan. |
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MEET SAHAR*
Sahar, aged 22 had just finished her first year of medicine when the Taliban closed her university. She joined the Herat Online School immediately after, with her younger sister, and both are now teaching other girls in Afghanistan and around the world.
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“I have created a busy teaching schedule, for girls and women aged 14-22 years old, with lessons on an hourly basis. I really enjoy teaching Turkish and offering therapy online.
I teach Turkish to Afghan girls for free and provide therapy for girls in Afghanistan and some other countries like Poland, Turkey and America. I know that people, especially girls, need someone to listen to them and they need advice on what to do in difficult situations. I learned therapy from my therapist friends. It is really enjoyable. I also discuss books and reading with girls, and they are learning how to use the resources I share with them. They are doing well and we’ve even become good friends”. * We have not used real names or images to protect the students' identity |
ANGELA GHAYOUR AND HERAT ONLINE SCHOOL
When the Taliban took control in Afghanistan in 2021, women and girls were forced out of school, and back into their homes. Angela Ghayour, a refugee from Afghanistan and ex-teacher, living in the UK, started receiving hundreds of messages from previous teaching colleagues and students in Herat asking her for help.
She decided she had to do something.
She decided she had to do something.
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“I wanted to make sure that the girls of my homeland learn to dream and understand there is more to this life than what the Taliban is trying to convince them of.”
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Herat Online School was set up in September 2021 to ensure that Afghan girls could still access education. The school supports not just girls in Afghanistan, but children who who have fled the country and are unable to continue their education in their new homes.
Boys can also access lessons, which is vitally important to help combat the heavily misogynistic curriculum they are exposed to in Afghan schools.
In its first 6 months, Angela recruited 300 volunteer teachers from around the world and over 3,000 students registered with the school. Children have access to hundreds of different classes.
Subjects are varied and include sciences, languages, maths, IT, philosophy and critical thinking as well as support from psychologists to address mental wellbeing. Under Taliban rule, music and the arts have particularly suffered, but lessons covering these subjects are available at the Herat Online School.
Boys can also access lessons, which is vitally important to help combat the heavily misogynistic curriculum they are exposed to in Afghan schools.
In its first 6 months, Angela recruited 300 volunteer teachers from around the world and over 3,000 students registered with the school. Children have access to hundreds of different classes.
Subjects are varied and include sciences, languages, maths, IT, philosophy and critical thinking as well as support from psychologists to address mental wellbeing. Under Taliban rule, music and the arts have particularly suffered, but lessons covering these subjects are available at the Herat Online School.
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“My idea was to fight against and address the most brutal educational discrimination in the twenty-first century. The solution to peace in our country is an educational path that connects Afghan citizens in a constructive way, with each other and for each other.”
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MEET FATEMA*
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“This school brightens our darkest days. It brings hope, knowledge and a deep and wonderful message; ‘the pen instead of the gun! It just takes one step and thousands of people come together from different parts of the world to help Afghan girls to educate. Thanks everyone for being with us. You will save a dream builder generation from a tyrant government.” * We have not used real names or images to protect the students' identity |
THE SITUATION FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS IN AFGHANISTAN
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The Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, and since their takeover, they have issued countless draconian policies that violate the human rights of women and girls in the country. Millions of women and girls in Afghanistan are being deprived of the chance to lead free, safe, fulfilling lives.
Their rights to education, work and free movement have been removed, preventing the vast majority of girls at secondary level from returning to school. The Taliban reneged on a promise to reopen high schools in March 2022, then indefinitely banned women from universities in December 2022. Women have been unable to return to work and the Taliban have arbitrarily detained women and girls for violating their discriminatory rules, including restrictions on clothing. |
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Restrictions on freedom of movement have accelerated, with women ordered to be accompanied by a ‘mahram’ or male chaperone for long journeys and now barred from leaving their homes entirely unless necessary. This has all contributed to a surge in the rate of child, early and forced marriage in Afghanistan.
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“With knowledge and action, Afghan girls have the power to build a safer and more peaceful future for our country”.
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