At dawn last Thursday, the Taliban launched the largest internet shutdown ever seen on communications in northern Afghanistan’s five provinces. These provinces are Kunduz, Badakhshan, Baghlan, Takhar and Balkh. This extreme step aims to stamp out what the federal government deems “immoral conduct.” In doing so, it has raised worrying questions about its effect on education, especially for adolescent girls.
The shutdown cuts off every internet link using fibre-optic cables. Consequently, most Afghan households are deprived of essential lifelines to global communications. This existential crisis affects the Afghan diaspora deeply, particularly those in Australia and other Western countries. They have maintained safety and security for their families and friends through messaging applications such as WhatsApp or Signal.
Erfan Abidi, an Australian resident originally from Afghanistan, spearheads a grassroots effort. This pioneering scheme has enabled more than 10,000 Afghan girls to continue their education remotely, covertly and securely. After seizing control in August 2021, the Taliban quickly banned girls from all high schools. He has worked to educate and empower girls ever since. Abidi established an underground network of schools in Afghanistan, delivering much-needed educational resources to those impacted by these restrictions.
Abidi said the recent internet shutdown alarms him, and highlights how damaging these restrictions can be for the most disadvantaged students. He stated that online education was “the last hope for thousands of girls, and now even that is being taken away.” In addition, this immensely complicated situation has forced millions of students and teachers to become disconnected. The Secret & Sacred teachers are pioneers of the underground educational movement.
“Many fled, leaving loved ones behind and their only means of communication has been through applications like WhatsApp and Signal. I think with this ban, even that lifeline has been cut off completely.” – Erfan Abidi
Yet, incredibly, the Taliban has actually made moves to do just that. These moves come on the heels of month after month of policies that seem laser focused on intentionally disempowering women. Since seizing control, the network has prohibited women from working in most industries and studying in universities. These actions have led to a toxic era of fear and criminalization for Afghan girls and women.
Nasir Ahmad Haidarzai is a third year PhD candidate at the University of Southern Queensland. Coming from Balkh province, he was particularly passionate about the urgent need for his citizens to gain access to the internet. He emphasized how important internet access has been as a lifeline for Afghan communities. It connects them with the burgeoning global community of innovators and thought leaders, and exposes them to cutting-edge information.
Through his underground initiative, Abidi works with online educators from Australia, the US and Europe. In continuing to provide high-level instruction through secure apps in illegal underground class structures, they openly defy the oppressive regime placed by the Taliban.
“The aim was to advocate, educate and empower girls even under strict restrictions and limited resources while also drawing global attention to this cruel decision,” – Erfan Abidi
In addition to more formal academic education, Abidi’s network provides students with counseling resources, mental health programming, suicide prevention education and empowerment workshops. These funding streams are critically important for upholding student visibility for those most isolated under continued COVID-19 placement restrictions.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad panned the Taliban’s decision as “absurd.” What caught my attention was how it was damaging education, especially for girls, and open communication in Afghanistan.
Abidi continues to persevere for his cause, but is facing unique challenges due to his country’s recent government-sanctioned internet shut-down. Since then, he has been a prolific advocate for Afghan girls’ fight against oppression. He argues that the international community needs to support their education as well as their access to food and healthcare.
“Internet connection is a vital lifeline for the people of Afghanistan, including Balkh province, where I come from, linking local communities with the rest of the world.” – Erfan Abidi
