Four years ago today, the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, slamming classroom doors shut for millions of girls. Afghan girls have now been locked out of education for over 1,000 days.

Since then, women have been banned from most jobs, excluded from politics, and denied basic freedoms like traveling alone or visiting public spaces. This is not just about classrooms it is about a full-scale assault on women’s rights and futures.

But our partners refuse to give up. In hidden rooms, one of our courageous partners is running clandestine schools, risking everything to keep the light of learning alive. One 15-year-old student shared:

“Three years ago I came to this class, English is my favorite subject. My dream is to get more education. I am very worried because I fear that my courses will [be] closed. I want to be a doctor. Now I feel hopeless when I see the situation, every year with the Taliban, how they treat women and don’t allow women and girls education or any rights. These days they arrest women and girls. We can’t go anywhere. I’m very worried but everyday when I come to this class, my hope is restored because  I can get an education. One day these dark days will finish.”

The Taliban may have taken control, but they will never conquer the dreams of Afghan girls. We stand with these girls and with every frontline leader defying this injustice.

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