I first set foot in Afghanistan in December, 2008. Traveling from Kabul airport in an embassy car, I felt as if I’d been transported back in time. The dusty streets were bustling with life: donkeys carrying fresh vegetables, men in traditional shalwar kameez going about their day, and women in blue burkas navigating the markets. It was the year 1385 in the lunar Hijri calendar, and everything around me seemed timeless and enduring.
Then I began to meet the people, and from my earliest days as a diplomat I realized that Afghanistan’s true strength lays in its citizens. From the grand halls of the presidential palace to the small shops on Chicken Street, I encountered hardworking, dignified Afghans who shared a quiet optimism and a commitment to a brighter future. In the winter air of Kabul, despite the challenges posed by terrorism, corruption, and the drug trade, there was a palpable sense of hope, both among locals and the international community.
A significant source of this optimism was the increasing role of women in Afghan society. Women held seats in parliament, ran businesses, hosted TV shows, and competed in sports. By the early 2010s, Afghanistan’s advancements in gender representation were, in some ways, more progressive than those in my home country, Russia.
Education Amidst Conflict
One day, I was invited to teach Russian at Kabul State University. The opportunity was inspiring, but sadly, due to security concerns, it was never realized. Security challenges have, for years, obstructed access to education for millions of Afghans. In this war-torn nation, organizations like Aid Afghanistan for Education became lifelines, providing educational access to women and girls who were not allowed to complete their high school due to some old policies.
During this time, I met Hassina Sherjan, who shared AAFE’s journey with me. Beginning in 1995, the organization initially provided educational materials to Afghans at the refugee camps in Pakistan. After the defeat of the Taliban in 2001, it launched an innovative accelerated education program. According to Afghanistan's Ministry of Women’s Affairs (yes, such an institution existed back then), this program was the only one that allowed students to complete high school in just eight years.
Return to Medieval Times
But tragedy struck in August 2021, when the world watched in horror as the Taliban regained power. Kabul airport, once a gateway of possibility, became a scene of desperation and exodus. Soon after, women’s rights were systematically dismantled—education, employment, and public spaces were all stripped away. Afghan women today endure what can only be described as gender apartheid, denied their voices and erased from public life.
It doesn’t take a political analyst to see that, very soon, 60% of the country's population will face illiteracy, unemployment, and unimaginable despair. Even if we momentarily set aside the humanitarian aspect—economically, this is simply a criminal decision by the "leadership" of a country where 70% of the population lives below the poverty line.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan's "authorities" assert that "eighty percent of women’s rights have been granted,” emphasizing marriage, inheritance, and Islamic freedoms. Are we truly regressing to the Middle Ages?
Two Decades of Impactful Work
The situation is indeed dire and may seem hopeless, making the task of offering assistance feel overwhelming. Yet history teaches us, if nothing else, that it often repeats itself. The Taliban have held power in Afghanistan before, and that, too, came to an end.
For over 20 years, AAFE has been a driving force in empowering young Afghans through education. Its online programs, including English and computer courses, have opened doors for girls, helping them overcome challenges, find hope, and envision a brighter future.
Now registered in the United States with 501c3 status, AAFE carries years of expertise and a proven track record for programs that bring lasting change to families in Afghanistan.
There is a saying: “the road will be mastered by the one who walks it.” At Aid Afghanistan For Education, they believe in the power of small actions. Each of us can contribute—whether through donations, advocacy, or raising awareness.
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