At the Omid Foundation, we work closely with women in Iran and Afghanistan, listening to their stories and supporting them as they navigate lives filled with challenges few can imagine. While the world often sees these countries through the lens of news reports—protests, crackdowns, and political turmoil—the daily struggles of women go far beyond the headlines.
Behind every statistic, every policy, and every restriction, there are individual lives marked by hardship, resilience, and hope.
The Reality of Life for Women
Afghanistan: A Life of Restrictions
Since the Taliban’s return to power, Afghan women have seen their rights erased overnight. Education beyond primary school has been banned, women are forbidden from working in most jobs, and they can no longer travel alone.
For young girls who once dreamed of becoming doctors, teachers, and engineers, the future now seems like a locked door. Mothers who once provided for their families have been forced into poverty. Even something as simple as stepping outside the home requires permission from a male relative.
One of the women we support, Farah, was a university student studying medicine when the Taliban takeover forced her to abandon her education. Now, she studies online in secret, knowing that if she is caught, she could be punished. “I feel like I’ve lost everything,” she told us, “but I will not give up.”
Iran: Protests, Fear, and the Fight for Freedom
In Iran, women are fighting a different but equally oppressive battle. Since the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, arrested for not wearing her hijab ‘properly,’ women have taken to the streets demanding change. Their courage has been met with brutal crackdowns—arrests, torture, and even death sentences for those who dare to speak out.
Beyond the protests, daily life is filled with silent struggles. Women are forced to wear mandatory hijabs, face discrimination in the workplace, and are subjected to strict moral policing. The fear of being arrested for simply expressing an opinion or walking freely in the streets is a constant reality.
One of our students, Zahra, shared her experience: “I was arrested during a protest and held in prison for weeks. When I was released, I was told to stay silent. But I refuse to let them take my voice.” Through Omid’s online language courses, she is now learning English so she can share her story with the world.
How Women Are Fighting Back
Despite these unimaginable hardships, women in Iran and Afghanistan are refusing to be silenced.
- Secret Schools – In Afghanistan, underground classrooms allow girls to continue learning in defiance of the Taliban’s ban.
- Online Learning – Many women are turning to digital education to gain skills in English, computer literacy, and other fields.
- Protests and Advocacy – Iranian women continue to resist, knowing the risks but standing up for their rights anyway.
How Omid Foundation Helps
At Omid, we provide education, trauma support, and community to women who feel isolated and forgotten. We remind them that they are not alone, that their struggles matter, and that there is still hope.
Because behind every headline is a woman fighting to reclaim her life—and we stand with her.
