Afghan women lose their “last hope” when the Taliban excludes the Internet

Fahima Noory had great dreams when he graduated from the University of Afghanistan.

She studied law, has completed a midwife program and even worked at a mental health clinic.

But everything that was taken when the Taliban went to power in 2021. They banned girls over the age of 12 to receive education, seriously limited job opportunities for women, and recently removed books written by women from university.

For Fachima, the Internet was her last savior of the outside world.

“I recently enrolled in an online university (s) hoped to finish my studies and find an online job,” she said.

On Tuesday, this rescue line was interrupted when the Taliban imposed a national internet shutdown, which should continue indefinitely.

“Our last hope was online learning. Now (even) this dream has been destroyed,” Fahima said.

Her real name has been changed to protect her identity, as well as the names of all other interviewees for this article.

Over the last few weeks, the Taliban government has begun to break optical internet connections in several provinces, saying it is part of efforts to prevent immorality.

For many, they feared that this could be the first step towards a complete shutdown of the Internet.

And on Tuesday, their oldest fears came true. Currently, the country is experiencing a “common eclipse on the Internet” according to Internet observers NetBlocks – a move that paralyzes the main services of the country.

International news agencies say they have lost contact with offices in the capital Kabul. Mobile internet and satellite television are also very destroyed in Afghanistan. Flights from Kabul Airport have also been violated, according to local media reports.

Before national exclusion, the BBC talk to some people in Afghanistan who described in detail how internet interruptions in their provinces had derailed their lives.

“I used to study the midwife before, but unfortunately this program was banned for women … The only hope left for us was the Internet and online learning,” said Shakiba, who lives in the northern province of Tahkar.

“We want to study. We want to be educated. We want to be able to help people in our future. When I heard the internet had been cut, my world seemed dark.”

This is a similar tale about Fahima, who says he is now feeling “helpless.”

“My two sisters (and I) were studying online. We were previously updated by news and technology through the Internet, but now we cannot maintain or learn new skills,” says the student who lives in Eastern province of Afghanistan.

“We dreamed of finishing our education and helping our father financially, but now … we all sit at home, we do nothing.”

After seizing power in 2021, the Taliban imposed many restrictions in accordance with their interpretation of the Islamic Law of Sharia.

Earlier this month, they removed books written by women from the university system of the university in the country as part of a new ban, which also exceeded the teaching of human rights and sexual harassment.

About 140 books from women – including titles such as “Safety in the Chemical Laboratory” – have been found to be of “anxiety” due to “anti -sodding and Taliban policies,” the Taliban said.

The Taliban government said it respects women’s rights in accordance with their interpretation of Afghan culture and Islamic law.

But not only the students were affected – teachers like the struggles who made a living through online teaching were similarly to the ban.

Zabi says he had previously worked as a journalist in Pakistan, but did not find opportunities in the area when he returned to Afghanistan. He decided to open an English teaching center – but he was forced to take this online when authorities imposed restrictions on educational institutes, he says.

“I had men and women in my hours – up to 70 or 80 students at a time. My students were happy and our lessons went smoothly,” he said. “They were all preparing for IELTS (standardized English test) and all their training depended on the Internet. Research, practice tests, formal exams, everything.”

Strike, who also lives in the eastern part of the country, adds that there is no IELTS center in Afghanistan, so the only option for students is to take one online.

“Two days ago, about 45 of my students were in the middle of the exam when the internet was cut off. They were preparing for him for months, but missed the opportunity. It was heartbreaking for them – and for me as their teacher.”

He adds that he constantly receives calls from his students who do not know what to do.

“They continue to call me a” teacher, what should we do? “There are still open English centers for boys, but for my students it was their last chance.

Before stopping Monday, many respondents say that there is still the opportunity to be related to mobile data – but it is too expensive for most and that connectivity is a patch. A monthly plan with 100 GB of data costs 3500 Afghans or about $ 50 (£ 37). In contrast, WiFi cost about 1000 Afghans a month – which can be further divided between several students.

According to a more Propon report, the income per capita in Afghanistan was $ 306 in 2024.

Zabi says he will have to leave the country if the Internet is not restored soon – saying that there is no other way to make a living.

The Taliban has not yet given an official reason for the suspension. Earlier, they said that an alternative internet access route would be created, but it does not give more details.

Anas, a change of money in Tahar province, says his business is facing “huge problems” after turning off the Internet, saying that much of his work depends on the Internet.

“Our business is affected by about 90%,” he says. “My brother, who is also my business partner yesterday, tried to send an email to a client. He couldn’t get it.”

But his main concern is his three daughters – all of whom were running online.

“Last night we heard that the Taliban had cut off the internet access to Mazar. My biggest daughter came to me with tears in my eyes and said she was afraid that the same would happen here.

“Their last opportunity to study no longer. Seeing my children so helpless … (it was) the most difficult for me. Only God knows what will happen to them and me.”