Lost dreams: Afghan girls face barriers to education
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In Afghanistan, Diana and Humaira shared aspirations for education and independence during their school recess six years ago.
Humaira, whose family faced economic hardship after her father’s death, dreamed of becoming a provider for her mother and sisters, refusing pressure to marry young. Diana, the first girl in her family to attend school, benefited from her parents’ decision to move to Kabul so she could access education denied to her mother due to village traditions.
Diana’s parents defied community customs to send her to school, hoping she would become an educated and independent woman. Both girls envisioned futures where they could support their families and make their own choices, finding strength in their shared goals despite their different backgrounds. However, those dreams were cut short when schools and universities closed in Afghanistan. Diana lost contact with Humaira, and over the following years, she encountered many former classmates who had been forced into early marriages.
Amina married at 16 and had a child soon after, while Sakina and others faced similar fates. Though a few girls continued to pursue their education, most saw their hopes fade, mirroring the closed school gates and facing a future without opportunity. Millions of girls across the country shared this experience, their dreams of higher education and self-determination thwarted.
