Following Education from Afghanistan to Germany

On the third anniversary of the Taliban’s military takeover of Afghanistan, Samira Masoumi shares her story, highlighting the urgent need for global support to protect the rights of women and girls. 

I am Samira Masoumi. I spent the first 17 years of my life in Afghanistan, where I was a passionate advocate for girls’ rights through school and civil society programs. I successfully completed high school and was planning to enter university when the Taliban took over the country, abruptly halting my and millions of girls’ dreams.

The Taliban’s return to power

Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the situation for women and girls in Afghanistan has become increasingly dire. The Taliban have imposed severe restrictions on female education, banning girls from attending secondary school (after 6th grade) and university. This has deprived 75% (1.4 million) of girls from their basic right to education and prohibited women from working in most fields such as engineering, art, and law , further exacerbating gender inequality and poverty.

The country is in a deep state of crisis, with a broken social contract due to lack of human rights and freedoms, particularly for women and girls. Millions of young Afghans, including myself, are part of a generation that had never expected living under Taliban rule. During the 20 years when the Taliban did not hold power, Afghan citizens enjoyed entertainment programs on television, events in public places like parks, producing music and movies, and celebrating Nowruz with families and friends, these activities are now prohibited or in some cases limited.

The last two decades marked a period of enjoying freedom for Afghan women. They held jobs in government and (I)NGOs and attended schools and universities. Now, streets, schools, universities, and offices are in deep silence where half of society is not welcomed. Such radical elimination of women’s opportunities, prospects, and freedom has left many desperate and hopeless, with women accounting for a large portion of the increase in suicide rates: In Herat province, of the 1,000 attempted suicides counted in a six-month period, 70 percent were by women and girls between 15 and 25 years old.

From Afghanistan to Germany

In Afghanistan, the dreams of young women like me were shattered overnight. I was one of the fortunate few who had the opportunity to migrate to Germany and continue my education. I am now in my final year of college, with a clear goal of becoming a doctor. While pursuing my dreams in Germany, I continue to advocate for the rights of Afghan girls to education and work, which have been severely restricted under Taliban rule. Additionally, I actively participate in Erasmus programs across Europe, serving as the voice of Afghan girls and educating European youth about the harsh realities faced by girls in Afghanistan.

Girls’ empowerment is central to sustainable development in Afghanistan, because educated women are crucial for economic growth, social stability, and the overall well-being of communities. When girls receive education, they contribute to the workforce, advocate for their rights, and participate in decision-making processes, thus fostering a more inclusive and prosperous society. Empowering girls breaks the cycle of poverty and inequality, enabling them to raise healthier families and become agents of change, which is essential for the long-term development and peace of Afghanistan.

What can you do?

We can help Afghanistan girls in several ways: Donate to organizations working on the ground in Afghanistan like the Malala Fund, Afghan Women’s Educational Centre, and CARE International, which provide education and aid to girls and women; raise awareness by using social media and other platforms to spread information about the plight of Afghan girls and women, keeping the global community informed and engaged; advocate by reaching out to local and national government representatives to support policies that aid Afghan refugees, and volunteer with organizations that support Afghan refugees and provide educational resources and support.

My story is a powerful testament to resilience and the ongoing fight for educational equality, highlighting the urgent need for global support and intervention to protect the rights of girls and women in Afghanistan.

Author: Samira Masoumi