Summary

Following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, girls have faced unprecedented barriers to accessing education. Overall, girls' education in Afghanistan is uncertain, unprotected, and highly at-risk on a daily basis, with the context varying dramatically in the marginalized communities. Working through our grassroots networks, Bamyan continues to promote and support girls' access to quality education, in order to develop the next generation of critical thinkers and change-makers.

Challenge

Education and literacy levels among women in Afghanistan have historically been staggeringly low: only 30% of women over the age of 15 can read and write. Following the Taliban's takeover of Kabul in August 2021, educational opportunities--especially for girls--have been highly restricted, and in many areas, simply non-existent. According to UNICEF, prior to August 2021 an estimated 3.7 million children were unable to attend school, and 60% of these were girls. The number is now far lower. While all Afghans suffer under the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, the Hazara community, long stigmatized due to endemic racism from the inception of the state of Afghanistan, religious hatred (Hazaras are predominantly shiites in a majority Sunni nation) coupled with the community’s support for the US-led mission between 2001-2021, is bearing the brunt. As a result, Hazara schools, mosques, sports centers, hospitals, businesses and other civilian facilies are under increased systematic attacks, with genocidal intent. Thousands have died and many more injured in such devastating attacks, an increasing number of victims being children.

Solution

Bamyan has designed a low-cost scholarship program in partnership with trusted grassroots, community-organized and community-sustained schools that have demonstrated a sound track-record of service and low overhead costs. Through these partnerships, we provide merit and need-based scholarships to girls, in the Hazara communities in Afghanistan. Since 2016, we have provided 466 scholarships for girls that have altered the trajectory of students' lives and prepared them to be change makers in their communities.

Long-Term Impact

This project will educate hundreds of marginalized and at-risk Hazara girls in multiple schools in several provinces in Afghanistan. This project will contribute to a sustained partnership between Bamyan Foundation and grassroots organizations in Afghanistan, focused on ensuring girls' access to life-changing education. This initiative is sustainable and scalable, with minimal increases in time and resources as the project grows.