Afghanistan

Since taking power in 2021, the Taliban have pursued a grim campaign to erase women from public life. They have issued more than 70 decrees violating the rights of girls and women, especially their right to education. Today, Afghanistan stands out tragically as the only country in the world where girls and women are systematically denied access to secondary and higher education.

Despite this, Afghan women and civil society actors continue to organise and seek ways to access education.

SAIH works with local and international actors, as well as academic institutions, including Stockholm University and University of Education Freiburg, to provide women with access to digital higher education courses. We also offer academic mentorship, digital safety training, and psychosocial support, and contribute to research and knowledge development that can strengthen advocacy efforts and explore new alternative pathways for higher education, academic freedom and women’s rights in Afghanistan.