Afghan Women Left in Despair as Taliban Cuts Off Internet Access

The Taliban's recent nationwide internet shutdown has extinguished the last hope for Afghan women seeking education and advancement, severely limiting their opportunities and access to information.

Fahima Noori had big dreams when she graduated from university in Afghanistan. She had studied law, graduated from a midwifery programme, and even worked in a mental health clinic. However, all that was taken away when the Taliban seized power in 2021, banning girls over the age of 12 from receiving an education and removing books written by women from universities. For Fahima, the internet was her last lifeline to the outside world.

She had enrolled in an online university, hoping to finish her studies and secure an online job. But on Tuesday, that lifeline was abruptly severed when the Taliban imposed a nationwide internet shutdown, stating it would last indefinitely. 'Our last hope was online learning. Now [even] that dream has been destroyed,' Fahima lamented.

'We all sit at home doing nothing'

In the weeks leading to the shutdown, the Taliban began severing fibre-optic internet connections, claiming it was necessary to prevent immorality. These concerns culminated in the complete internet blackout, paralyzing not only educational pursuits but essential services across the country.

Reports indicate that international news agencies lost contact with Kabul, and mobile internet and satellite TV services experienced severe disruptions. Local citizens expressed their distress, voicing fears of what the total blackout meant for their futures.

'Before this, I studied midwifery, but unfortunately that programme was banned for women... the only hope left for us was the internet and online learning,' said Shakiba from Tahkar. She described the moment she learned of the internet cutoff as darkness enveloping her world.

Similarly, Zabi, a teacher who previously taught English online, recounted the heartbreak of losing his students' connection to education. 'My two sisters and I were studying online. We used to stay updated on news and technology through the internet, but now we cannot keep up or learn new skills,' expressed another student from the eastern provinces. 'We dreamed of finishing our education and helping our father financially, but now... we all sit at home doing nothing.'

Since their return to power, the Taliban have imposed numerous restrictions consistent with their interpretation of Islamic Sharia law, further limiting educational resources and opportunities. This includes a recent ban on books authored by women and restrictions on teaching human rights.

The Taliban's sweeping policies continue to stifle the aspirations of women, like Fahima and countless others who now find themselves without hope or direction. As businesses and educational systems crumble under these oppressive measures, the future for Afghan women appears increasingly grim.