As women and girls across the UK prepare to return to schools, colleges and universities this September, millions of Afghan girls and women continue to be denied the fundamental right to education.
Since the Taliban seized power on 15 August 2021, they have introduced more than 70 decrees restricting the rights and freedoms of women and girls. Afghanistan is now the only country in the world where girls and women are banned from secondary and higher education.
Yet Afghan women and girls continue to resist. Many are learning through secret underground and online schools, while others share their stories, poetry and experiences to ensure their voices are heard.
WRN Afghanistan is in regular contact with women and girls across Afghanistan, raising awareness, providing resources for UK schools and working closely with Victory Afghanistan to support access to education.
This event offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from Afghan women and girls about their lives, the restrictions they face and their determination to continue learning. They will also share their poetry and stories.
Speakers and contributors
Sara is a lawyer and women’s rights activist in Afghanistan. Her career in family law was cut short when the Taliban returned to power in 2021. She now works as an activist and scholar, writing, teaching and campaigning for women’s rights while living under the Taliban regime.
Athena is a teacher, public speaker, writer, artist and advocate for women’s empowerment. With a professional background in midwifery, she brings compassion and practical experience to her work. For the past three years, Athena has run a home-based school, creating opportunities for girls who are excluded from formal education to continue learning and developing their skills.
Shadab is one of Athena’s students. She will share her experience of being a girl banned from school and of continuing her education in a hidden classroom, offering a personal insight into the determination of Afghan girls to keep learning despite the restrictions they face.
Shadmana and Basira are students with Victory Afghanistan. They will read poetry they have written in online classes led by poet Kate Clanchy.
The event will be hosted by Vicky Gough, who has been working with WRN Afghanistan and Victory Afghanistan to support Afghan women and girls through advocacy and awareness-raising in the UK, while also helping to build connections between Afghan girls and schools in the UK.
As students across the UK prepare for a new academic year, we invite you to stand with those for whom entering a classroom remains forbidden.
All income will support Victory Afghanistan.
Online event:
Tickets: Book on eventbrite
Date: Tuesday 29th September 2026
Time: 7.00pm
Tickets: Free but we suggest, for those that can afford it, a £5 minimum donation. All income will support Victory Afghanistan.
