Fahima Noori had big dreams when she graduated from university in Afghanistan. She had studied law, graduated from a midwifery programme, and even worked in a mental health clinic. But all that was taken away when the Taliban swept into power in 2021. They banned girls over the age of 12 from getting an education, severely restricted job options for women, and recently removed books written by women from universities.
For Fahima, the internet was her last lifeline to the outside world. I recently enrolled in an online university [and] I had hoped to finish my studies and find an online job, she said. On Tuesday, that lifeline was cut off when the Taliban imposed a nationwide internet shutdown that is set to last indefinitely. Our last hope was online learning. Now [even] that dream has been destroyed, said Fahima.
This move has led to a 'total internet blackout' according to internet watchdog Netblocks, which has paralyzed essential services across the country. Many people fear that without internet access, their educational and professional aspirations will remain unfulfilled.
Teachers and students alike are facing dire consequences. Shakiba, a midwifery student, shared that with the educational programme banned for women, the internet was her only hope to pursue education. The sudden cut to internet access has plunged her and many others into despair. Teachers like Zabi, who had moved his English classes online, reported heart-wrenching scenarios where students lost exam opportunities as the internet connection failed.
The Taliban's actions reflect a broader trend of restriction on women's rights as they impose their interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. This has deeply affected students, teachers, and families all across Afghanistan, leaving many feeling hopeless and uncertain about their future.
For Fahima, the internet was her last lifeline to the outside world. I recently enrolled in an online university [and] I had hoped to finish my studies and find an online job, she said. On Tuesday, that lifeline was cut off when the Taliban imposed a nationwide internet shutdown that is set to last indefinitely. Our last hope was online learning. Now [even] that dream has been destroyed, said Fahima.
This move has led to a 'total internet blackout' according to internet watchdog Netblocks, which has paralyzed essential services across the country. Many people fear that without internet access, their educational and professional aspirations will remain unfulfilled.
Teachers and students alike are facing dire consequences. Shakiba, a midwifery student, shared that with the educational programme banned for women, the internet was her only hope to pursue education. The sudden cut to internet access has plunged her and many others into despair. Teachers like Zabi, who had moved his English classes online, reported heart-wrenching scenarios where students lost exam opportunities as the internet connection failed.
The Taliban's actions reflect a broader trend of restriction on women's rights as they impose their interpretation of Islamic Sharia law. This has deeply affected students, teachers, and families all across Afghanistan, leaving many feeling hopeless and uncertain about their future.
