“After the ban on girls’ education, everything became difficult for us. We couldn’t go to school anymore, and I feared I wouldn’t be able to complete my education if we stayed. So, I pleaded with my parents to leave the country, and we moved to Peshawar.”

As access to education becomes more difficult than ever in Afghanistan, the country’s women are crossing the border with Pakistan for access to secondary schools. And to their relief, there is an institution that caters directly to their needs.

The students

Aisha was a seventh-grade student in Afghanistan, but due to the ban on girls’ education, she had to migrate to Peshawar.

Continuing her education in Peshawar was a big challenge for her, but thankfully, she learned about a private institution in Peshawar dedicated to educating Afghan children. After enrolling in this institution, her dream of receiving an education was reignited, and she is currently studying there.

Speaking to Aaj Digital today, Aisha said that in today’s world, girls need education more than boys so that they can also utilize their God-given talents and make their mark in society. She said that she attends this private educational institution to learn English and other subjects.

A similar story is that of Zahra Muskan, who hails from Jalalabad, Afghanistan. She came to Pakistan and not only completed her education but is now teaching English to other Afghan refugee children.

Zahra Muskan, who left her education in Jalalabad, said that after coming here, she started learning English and after eight months, she was appointed as a teacher at the same institution where she is now teaching English to other Afghan girls. She said that after receiving a certificate from here, she can teach English anywhere.

The school

In response to the educational challenges faced by Afghan girls, Afghan residents already living in Peshawar have established an educational institution where Afghan girls are being provided with educational facilities.

The owner of this private institution, Shafiullah Ayubi, says that the purpose of establishing the institution was to complete the incomplete education of Afghan refugee girls, and various educational facilities are provided here.

Speaking to Aaj Digital today, Shafiullah Ayubi said that for the past several years, his institution has been offering various courses to children, including English language and computer courses.

However, after the changing situation in Afghanistan after August 15, 2021, he tried to provide an opportunity for girls above the sixth grade who were deprived of education to complete their education here.

He said that so far, dozens of Afghan boys and girls have come to his institution to acquire education, and there are also many female students who are pursuing medical education here.

This institution is run with the support of UNHCR. Fees are charged from well-off children to continue their education, while those who cannot afford to pay are provided free education.

According to a report by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan on August 15, 2021, at least 1.4 million girls have been denied access to secondary education, putting the future of an entire generation at risk.

However, this institution in Peshawar is proving to be a new ray of hope for the future of Afghan girls.

(With contribution from Zarghona Hamidi, a citizen journalist from Afghanistan)