From becoming a tailor to teaching other girls in secret, Afghan girls share their lives under Taliban rule.
September 15 marks the three-year ban on girls' education in Afghanistan. We asked Erin Hung, an illustrator and storyteller, to depict the lives and wishes of Afghan girls — and the result is one of a kind.
26-year-old Tamilore, a Malala Fund Girl Fellow, writes about the first time she learned about climate change, how it spurred an interest in climate education and how girls in her community led the charge on climate-friendly waste disposal — changing her hometown for the better.
On September 15, 2021, after the Taliban returned to power following the withdrawal of U.S. forces, they began instituting a gender apartheid system which barred girls from returning to school. Three years later, thousands of girls across Afghanistan have been denied the right to learn. Malala Fund, through local partners, has been supporting programmes that allow girls to continue learning. By collaborating with organisations like Begum Organisation for Women — whose satellite channel will reach up to 1 million young people — Malala Fund is helping to keep education accessible. These efforts aim to restore not just education, but dreams, ensuring Afghan girls continue to learn despite the enormous challenges they face.
17-year-old Zaibi Khan recounts a personal story that changed her life and relationships to herself, her family, and her education. Through storytelling workshop with Storykit —an organisation supported by Malala Fund — Zaibi shares her story of growth, leadership, and breaking free of gendered stereotypes that disrupt and keep girls out of school.
27-year-old Tamana recounts her harrowing experience imprisoned by the Taliban, her life as a student and lawyer in Afghanistan, protesting in the streets of Kabul and trying to rebuild a life after leaving Afghanistan.
Amid fear and uncertainty, here’s what is keeping young women hopeful about their education and future three years after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan.
27-year-old teacher turned Hazara activist, Sorayya, recounts the harrowing experience of being arrested by the Taliban, the struggle of young women in the country and her call for global solidarity in the stand against gender apartheid.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if Malala visited your school for a day? 15-year-old Sara writes about just that — the day Malala sat with Harrow High School in London to discuss everyone’s role in creating a world where all girls are free to learn and pursue their dreams.
Malala makes it an annual tradition to meet girls all around the world on her birthday. This year, she visited Harrow High, a secondary school in London, to speak to Afghan girls about their journey to the U.K. and their hopes for girls in Afghanistan. The girls and their classmates also brainstormed ways to support Afghan girls who have been banned from school for more than 1,000 days. Meet three girls who shared their stories at this year’s Malala Day event.
Harrow High School students wrote messages to Afghan girls, expressing their solidarity and awe at their bravery and resilience, and affirming Afghan girls’ right to education.
Amina*, a 15-year-old Afghan student, interviews her dad about his role in her education, their hopes for Afghan girls’ future and what Father’s Day means in a country where girls cannot attend secondary school.
1000 days have passed since the Taliban banned girls’ education in Afghanistan. Here are messages from Afghan girls to the world amid the ongoing crisis.
Have you ever mentored someone and found that you got just as much from the experience as they did? 11-year-old Eman reflects on her the challenges and rewards of mentoring younger students in her school through Cities for Children — an organisation supported by Malala Fund.
9-year-old Ashezi always loved to read, but when she began a book club for refugees, she took her dedication to reading to a new level.
19-year-old Guncha reflects on the first time she learned about ecofeminism, a term referring to the relationship between woman and nature and the shared history of oppression. She writes about the legacy of ecofeminism in India and why the history is important for girl activists.
Meet DigiTruck Ethiopia — the refurbished, moveable classroom making coding more accessible to girls across the country. For Ekram, a student in the programme, this refurbished, moveable classroom has made coding — and the mentors she’s met through it — a lifeline for her.
Interested in climate fiction but don’t know where to start? 28-year-old Sanjana Sekhar, one of nine finalists of Grist's Imagine 2200 climate fiction writing contest, discusses climate fiction, intergenerational relationships, and using storytelling for advocacy.
14-year-old Dilawaiz writes about how the gift of a bicycle led her on a transformative journey of resilience and empowerment.
14-year-old Mahtab reflects on the generosity of people in Pakistan towards her and other families from Afghanistan seeking refuge.
15-year-old student Alishba writes about how she refused to let societal expectations hinder her pursuit of personal growth and empowerment — and how her brother helped her along the way.