At the Omid Foundation, we work with Afghan women who refuse to be silenced. Despite the Taliban’s oppressive restrictions, they continue to resist in ways both big and small—through education, protest, and acts of quiet defiance. Their strength in the face of unimaginable hardship proves that oppression cannot erase courage.
A Life Under Restriction
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Afghan women have been systematically erased from public life. They are banned from attending school beyond the sixth grade, barred from working in most jobs, and even restricted from visiting parks, gyms, and universities. These policies are designed to break their spirits and make them invisible.
But Afghan women refuse to disappear.
Education as Resistance
One of the most powerful ways Afghan women are resisting is by continuing to learn. When the Taliban banned girls from attending school, underground education programs emerged. Secret schools now operate across the country, often in private homes, where young girls gather in hidden classrooms, determined to continue their education despite the risks.
Online learning has also become a lifeline. At the Omid Foundation, we provide virtual English and computer skills classes to Afghan women who are determined to build a better future for themselves. Every lesson they complete is an act of defiance against a system that seeks to keep them uneducated and powerless.
Defying the Ban on Work
The Taliban has banned most Afghan women from working, forcing them into economic dependency. But many women are finding ways to work in secret. Some run small businesses from their homes, selling handmade goods or offering tutoring services. Others have turned to online freelancing, using their skills in writing, design, and technology to earn an income remotely.
Economic independence is a crucial form of resistance. Every woman who earns her own money is breaking free from the system that seeks to control her.
Protesting Despite the Danger
Despite the risks, Afghan women have taken to the streets in protest. In Kabul, Herat, and other cities, they have marched, held signs, and demanded their rights—only to be met with violence, tear gas, and arrests. Yet, even in the face of brutal crackdowns, they refuse to back down.
Social media has become a powerful tool for their resistance. Afghan women are using online platforms to share their stories, connect with global activists, and call for international support. They know that even if their physical protests are silenced, their voices can still be heard worldwide.
Hope Cannot Be Erased
The Taliban’s goal is to make Afghan women invisible, but their resistance proves that hope cannot be erased. Through education, economic independence, and relentless courage, they continue to fight for their rights.
At the Omid Foundation, we stand with them. We believe in their strength, their resilience, and their right to live freely. Their resistance is not just about survival—it is about reclaiming their future.
And no regime can take that away.
