Robina Azizi, 19, escaped from Afghanistan’s Balkh province in 2021 after the Taliban took control. During this time, the situation for girls worsened drastically. The Taliban soon banned girls and women from attending secondary schools and universities. Currently, around 1.4 million girls are denied their right to education under Taliban rule.
Now living in Germany, Robina took action and created Girls on the Path of Change (GPC). This organization helps Afghan girls share their experiences and access online education. Organizations like Amnesty International support this cause, which gives hope for a brighter future. However, ongoing action from the international community is critical to pressure the Taliban to change their restrictive policies.
Before the Taliban regained power in August 2021, I lived in Balkh with my family. I attended school and dreamed of graduating. I wanted to go to a university and help girls who were denied education. Every day, I worked hard, aiming for high grades and excitedly anticipating school each morning.
I left everything behind: my school, classmates, exams, dreams, and books.
— Robina Azizi
On August 10, 2021, I was headed home after an exam when I sensed something was wrong. I took a last look at the streets of Mazar-i-Sharif, feeling I might not see them again. When I got home, my mother was packing our things.
“We’ve booked your flight. We must leave. The Taliban are taking over the Balkh districts and might come to the city,” she said. “They take girls and force them into marriages. Your father, brother, and sister are not safe. They could harm you too if they find your writings.”
The next day, we flew to Kabul, leaving all my dreams behind.
When we arrived in Kabul, girls were still attending school, and I longed to join them. I kept telling myself, “I have come to survive.” This became my daily mantra. But just five days later, on August 15, the Taliban took control of Kabul, and shortly after announced that girls would no longer be allowed to attend school.
With education no longer an option, I realized I had to adapt. I turned to my books and sought out courses in Kabul. I studied English and read as much as I could, often in secret due to safety concerns. I encouraged Afghan families to understand the importance of girls’ education, urging them to let their daughters continue learning.
With help from my instructors, I managed to enroll in an online school, even without proper documentation. I motivated other girls to join me, providing support in their English studies. As time passed, I adjusted to the difficulties brought on by Taliban rule and began speaking with media outlets, emphasizing the need for girls’ education.
Ultimately, we had to leave Afghanistan to stay safe and continue my education. I felt a strong responsibility to support my friends and classmates who needed encouragement. This inspired me to start GPC, where I could amplify their voices and share their stories. My mission is to help create opportunities for girls to continue their studies online.
Afghanistan needs strong, educated women.
— Robina Azizi
Today, I partner with organizations like Amnesty International to maintain international pressure on the Taliban. We must hold governments accountable for their failure to protect women and girls from systematic abuses, which is a form of gender persecution.
Having faced the denial of education myself, I urge everyone to support girls’ education. It is critical that Afghan girls receive the education they deserve. We need strong, educated women to shape a better future for Afghanistan. Even though we may have to fight from afar, we will not give up. Together, we will show that knowledge and education are stronger than the ignorance of those who wish to silence us.
