Voices Unveiled: Educating and Empowering Women in Afghanistan

In the wake of the Taliban takeover in 2021, an estimated 11 million women in Afghanistan are profoundly deprived of crucial opportunities for education, employment, safety from increased gender-based violence, support networks and access to mental health resources. As the country has grappled with escalating poverty and violence over the past 2.5 years, the situation for Afghan women continues to deteriorate.

According to the Human Rights Watch 2024, "There is broad consensus that the situation in Afghanistan is the most serious women’s rights crisis in the world." The country holds the disheartening distinction of ranking last on the Women, Peace, and Security Index. Described by Afghan women and echoed by UN officials as "gender apartheid," this situation is unparalleled.

Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, the International Commission of Jurists, and Madre have collectively asserted that the Taliban's actions amount to crimes against humanity, specifically gender persecution, subject to the jurisdiction of both national and international courts.

The Taliban's recent closure of beauty salons has not only left another estimated 60,000 women without income, but it also represents the loss of one of the few places where Afghan women could gather freely, away from the confines of their homes. These spaces provided more than just beauty services; they served as hubs for social interaction, solidarity, and support networks. In a country where services for women experiencing domestic violence are rare, these salons often served as a refuge for those seeking assistance or solace. 

The ongoing crisis confronting women in Afghanistan underscores the desperate need for safe and inclusive spaces where Afghan women can seek refuge, support one another, and access essential services. It represents a dire humanitarian emergency, necessitating immediate intervention and support from the global community. It is imperative that concerted efforts are made to safeguard the rights, education and wellbeing of Afghan women and girls.

Voices Unveiled is dedicated to providing a safe and secure online educational platform for women in Afghanistan, focusing on women's studies and mental health. 

We leverage a range of digital tools and platforms to facilitate communication, learning, and security in safe, interactive virtual environments. These include webcam platforms for face-to-face interactions, virtual classrooms for educational purposes, texting platforms for instant messaging, video sharing platforms for multimedia communication, and cyber security technology to ensure the safety and integrity of online interactions.

By utilizing technology and connectivity, Voices Unveiled aims to bridge the gaps created by physical barriers and societal restrictions in Afghanistan, enabling women to pursue their aspirations and lead more healthful and fulfilling lives despite the challenging circumstances they face.

Women in Afghanistan under the Taliban face severe limitations on their rights and freedoms, including restricted access to education, employment, healthcare, mental health resources, and public life. The Taliban's strict interpretation of Islamic law imposes rigid gender roles and restricts women's mobility, autonomy, and decision-making power. Additionally, women lack adequate protection from gender-based violence, with no legitimate justice system to hold perpetrators accountable. These systemic barriers and discriminatory practices result in Afghan women being ignorant of their own rights, lacking opportunities for personal development, economic empowerment, and full participation in society.

The Taliban's ban on women working in aid agencies compounds the suffering of women and girls, driving many into crisis. In Afghanistan's increasingly gender-segregated society, the absence of female aid workers translates to a lack of crucial support for women in need. This not only endangers access to vital resources like food but also robs women and girls of opportunities for solace and joy, exacerbating feelings of isolation, despair, and chronic depression.

According to a study published on Pub Med, the prevalence of depression symptoms was 80.4% for women living in major cities of Afghanistan under Taliban rule in 2021, and the prevalence of mild to extremely severe anxiety was 81.0%. Factors associated with depression included exposure to negative behavior from others, recent traumatic events, lack of education, low income, physical illness, and poor psychological quality of life.

A report by U.N Women, the International Organization for Migration, and the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan found that nearly 70 percent of Afghan women reported worsened feelings of anxiety, isolation, and depression between April and June of 2022. This marks an increase from 57 percent in the previous quarter. A total of 592 Afghan women from 22 provinces participated in the study. The women shared their struggles with a range of psychological issues, including depression, insomnia, loss of hope, anxiety, fear, aggression, and thoughts of suicide, highlighting the profound mental health challenges faced by Afghan women.

Women who protest against these injustices face dire consequences, including enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention, and torture. The Taliban's brutal treatment of women's rights defenders perpetuates a cycle of fear and silence. Recently, the Taliban escalated their oppressive tactics, resorting to widespread detention of women and girls under the guise of enforcing "proper hijab," deepening feelings of hopelessness and desperation, and increasing the risk of suicide among Afghan women and teenagers.

When Afghan women are confined to their homes, silenced, denied education, and prevented from making meaningful contributions to their communities, it starkly reveals the precariousness of women's and girls' rights worldwide.

This initiative empowers Afghan women aged 15-40 with access to free courses, mentorship opportunities, community building, and vital resources for health and wellbeing. It nurtures their personal, educational, and professional growth, fostering resilience in the face of adversity.

View Afghan student testimonial

Our Voices Unveiled team stands uniquely qualified to address the current crisis for women in Afghanistan through a combination of expertise, experience, and dedication.

Our program has a proven track record of delivering measurable positive impacts on the mental health, morale, and motivation of participants. With a caring and talented team boasting diverse skills and networks, we possess the capability to navigate the complexities of the crisis with sensitivity, and effectiveness.

Crucially, we have earned the trust of an extremely insulated, cautious, and vulnerable community, thanks to our extensive experience and firsthand knowledge of the domestic, social, and political realities faced by Afghan women and girls. Having already worked directly with approximately 150 women in cities across Afghanistan, we intimately understand their needs and aspirations, enabling us to accurately identify and address their greatest challenges.

Moreover, our compassionate community and network of sponsors, donors, and mentors provide crucial support across various areas of our project, from emergency funds to therapy sessions, ensuring a holistic approach to empowerment and support.

Central to our approach is our priority for student's safety and cyber security, as well as a unique, and effective curriculum and program in Self-Empowerment, women’s studies, and mental health support, specifically tailored for Afghan women. Continuously evolving to meet emerging needs and interests, our curriculum reflects our commitment to addressing the ongoing challenges faced by Afghan women.

Additionally, through partnerships with grassroots organizations and collectives on the ground, we leverage resources and collaborate to maximize our impact. We also engage American #audiences through creative projects such as an original monologue series, "Diaries of Afghan Women" and art exhibitions featuring Afghan art activists, amplifying women's voices and fostering greater awareness and understanding.

Above all, our unwavering commitment to integrity, values, and the safety and trust of our students underscores our dedication to making a meaningful difference in the lives of Afghan women, even in the midst of crisis.

"Most of all, I learned to have self-confidence and defend my rights and those of my peers. The only thing I would change is to increase the duration of the course." -Fatima, age 24

View more students testimonials here.

We've launched a groundbreaking online college-level course in Self-Empowerment and Feminism tailored specifically for women living in Afghanistan. This intensive program convenes online for two hours, three times per week, over a comprehensive three-month trimester. To ensure the safety and security of our students, stringent measures are in place to protect their online identities. This transformative educational opportunity is provided completely free of charge, with internet packages available for students lacking access. As we embark on our fourth trimester, we're proud to have already engaged with over 150 students, ages 15-40, in cities across Afghanistan, advancing our mission to inspire and uplift Afghan women.

This course guides students through a dynamic and interactive journey encompassing creative writing, journaling, reading, discourse, lectures, and video content spanning a diverse range of socio-political, psychological, and gender-related topics. Through carefully curated exercises and practices, students are nurtured in cultivating self-compassion, self-awareness, self-expression, mindfulness, and self-care, empowering them to navigate their personal and societal landscapes with resilience and clarity.

In the realm of women's studies, the course delves into the exploration of gender roles and the history of women's rights. Community building is also a key component, fostering discussions on taboo topics, encouraging students to articulate their thoughts and feelings, and inviting guest speakers to share expertise on women's health, mental health, business, law, arts, entrepreneurship, and sciences. This diverse array of perspectives enriches the learning experience and exposes students to a wide range of knowledge and expertise, further empowering them to pursue their interests and aspirations.

The curriculum is crafted to offer a holistic exploration of self-empowerment, mental health, and human rights, fostering a deeper sense of self-esteem and self-worth. It addresses both individual growth and societal dynamics, aiming to empower students to navigate personal challenges while advocating for broader societal change.

Solve can potentially assist in helping Voices Unveiled overcome various barriers faced in reaching more Afghan women safely and efficiently.

1. Financial: Solve could facilitate partnerships with organizations or donors willing to invest in the development of sophisticated and secure interactive learning tools for women in Afghanistan. This funding could support the utilization of AI technologies for translating course materials into Dari and Pashto, as well as the development of multimedia learning tools, and securing funding for internet packages for students.

2. Technical: Solve could connect Voices Unveiled with technical experts who can assist in systemizing and securing student accessibility to online learning platforms. Additionally, partnerships with tech companies could provide access to research and tools for optimizing online sessions and meetings and ensuring compatibility with the limited internet bandwidth in Afghanistan.

3. Safety: Solve could assist in navigating safety considerations related to cyber security, privacy, and anonymity for online education in Afghanistan. This could involve connecting with experts familiar with high level safety protocols and practices, ensuring the protection of both students and staff members in the online environment.

4. Healthcare Resources: Solve could help Voices Unveiled forge alliances with medical and mental health organizations within and beyond Afghanistan. These partnerships would facilitate access to essential services, in person and online for Afghan women.

5. Market: Solve could support Voices Unveiled in establishing sustainable income streams through partnerships and technological advancements, streamlining donations, memberships, sponsorships, and sales of Afghan art and merchandise. This might entail offering guidance on website development, selecting optimal software and platforms, and devising online marketing strategies.

6. HR and Organizational: Solve could help in recruiting and staffing core organizational roles such as project management, administration, HR, PR, and marketing. This could involve connecting with potential candidates or providing resources for capacity building within the existing team.

Overall, partnerships and funding facilitated by Solve could enable the project to scale sustainably while prioritizing the privacy and safety of Afghan women online.

Voices Unveiled is poised to revolutionize the online academic landscape for Afghan women, which predominantly focuses on hard skills, practical training, and emergency aid. By shifting the narrative and prioritizing the significance of soft skills, emotional support, mental health, and self-value, Voices Unveiled addresses a critical gap in Afghan female culture. This innovative approach empowers women with the necessary tools to navigate painful and overwhelming challenges effectively. By emphasizing holistic development, Voices Unveiled aims to equip Afghan women with the resilience and self-assurance needed to thrive amidst adversity, thereby catalyzing a fundamental shift in how education and support services are perceived and delivered to women in Afghanistan.

Voices Unveiled is not only reshaping the online academic landscape but also emphasizing and modeling the significance of self-expression in a context where women face extreme isolation and limited opportunities to leave their homes. By providing a platform for Afghan women to express themselves freely and creatively, Voices Unveiled empowers them to reclaim their voices, develop and explore their identities. Additionally, the initiative fosters a culture of artistic expression and amplification of Afghan women's voices through various creative projects and incentives led by the students themselves. This approach not only encourages personal growth but also cultivates leadership skills and community engagement among participants, ultimately contributing to a more vibrant and inclusive experience for women in Afghanistan.

Ultimate Outcome: Voices Unveiled aims to empower women in Afghanistan by enhancing education, health, and economic outcomes, ultimately creating a more equitable and prosperous society where Afghan women can thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities and beyond.

Activities:

1. Holistic Curriculum Development: Tailoring courses in women's studies and mental health to meet the specific needs of Afghan women, ensuring relevance and effectiveness.
2. Online Platform Setup: Creating a secure and user-friendly online platform for the delivery of courses, ensuring accessibility and safety for all participants.
3. Recruitment and Outreach: Utilizing various networking channels to reach Afghan women aged 15-40, encouraging their active participation and engagement in the program.
4. Training and Capacity Building: Providing comprehensive training to instructors, staff, and interns on effective course delivery, online safety, and cultural sensitivity, ensuring high-quality program implementation.
5. Course Delivery: Conducting interactive online classes covering essential topics such as self-empowerment, gender equality, mental health awareness, and mindfulness, fostering a dynamic learning environment.
6. Guest Speaker Sessions: Organizing sessions with experts and mentors across different fields to provide additional insights and perspectives, facilitating learning and community building.
7. Creative Projects: Engaging participants in creative activities like writing, art, and storytelling to foster self-expression and leadership skills, promoting personal growth and empowerment.
8. Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly assessing program effectiveness through ongoing monitoring and evaluation, making necessary adjustments based on feedback and outcomes to enhance program impact.

Immediate Outputs:

1. Increased Access to Education: Providing Afghan women with free access to quality education and resources, breaking down barriers to learning imposed by societal restrictions and limitations.
2. Improved Mental Health: Equipping participants with coping skills and access to mental health resources, leading to reduced stress, anxiety, and depression levels.
3. Enhanced Confidence: Empowering students to express themselves freely and creatively, both online and offline, fostering increased confidence and self-assurance.
4. Enhanced Employability: Equipping students with new skills and knowledge, improving their prospects for employment and entrepreneurship, and enabling them to pursue their academic and professional goals.
5. Community Building and Expanded Social Networks: Cultivating a sense of community and building supportive relationships among participants, reducing feelings of isolation and fostering a sense of belonging.

Longer-Term Outcomes:

1. Improved Mental Well-being: Providing access to mental health resources and support leads to reduced levels of anxiety, depression, and isolation among participants.
2. Increased Empowerment: Participants develop a sense of agency and empowerment, enabling them to advocate for their rights and make informed decisions about their lives.
3. Leadership Development: Engaging in creative projects and leadership opportunities cultivates essential leadership skills, encouraging active participation in community initiatives.
4. Social Change: Voices Unveiled contributes to broader societal change by challenging traditional gender norms, amplifying women's voices, and promoting gender equality and safety for women in Afghanistan.

Evidence:

1. Process Evaluation: Ongoing monitoring and evaluation provide qualitative insights into participant experiences, highlighting the impact of Voices Unveiled on self-expression, skill development, and community engagement.
2. Impact Evaluation: Longitudinal studies measure changes in mental well-being, empowerment, and leadership skills among participants over time, providing evidence of longer-term outcomes.
3. Participant Testimonials: Interviews and surveys with Afghan women enrolled in Voices Unveiled offer firsthand accounts of the program's impact on their lives, providing qualitative evidence of its effectiveness.
4. Third-Party Research: Existing research on similar empowerment programs supports the theory of change, demonstrating the positive correlation between access to education, empowerment, and social change.

One of the primary impact goals of Voices Unveiled is to contribute to reduced poverty and enhanced economic growth for women in Afghanistan. By providing free online quality and holistic education we aim to empower Afghan women, enabling them stronger potential to secure sustainable livelihoods and break the cycle of poverty. 

By providing access to mental health resources, coping mechanisms, and support networks, Voices Unveiled helps women mitigate stress, anxiety, and depression, ultimately promoting overall well-being. Through creative activities and leadership opportunities, we foster a sense of community and belonging, reducing feelings of isolation and enhancing social support networks, which are crucial for mental and emotional health.

We strive to advance quality education and gender equality in Afghanistan. By designing courses in women's studies tailored to Afghan women's needs, we not only provide learning opportunities but also challenge traditional gender norms and promote gender equality. Through our emphasis on self-expression, we empower Afghan women to advocate for their rights and make informed decisions about their lives, contributing to a more equitable and inclusive society.

Voices Unveiled is committed to promoting peace, justice, and partnerships for sustainable development in Afghanistan. By amplifying women's voices, we contribute to broader societal change and promote peace and justice. Through partnerships with organizations, companies, and institutions, we leverage collective efforts to achieve shared goals and advance sustainable development for the women of Afghanistan.

In summary, Voices Unveiled's impact goals encompass a range of critical areas, including poverty reduction, hunger alleviation, health and well-being, education, gender equality, employment, inequality reduction, peace, and partnership for sustainable development. Through our holistic approach and collaborative efforts, we aim to empower Afghan women, catalyzing positive change, and contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Afghanistan.

Voices Unveiled utilizes a number of digital tools to provide a secure and effective online learning environment for women in Afghanistan. At its core, the solution harnesses various technologies to facilitate communication, course delivery, and collaborative learning. Here's an overview of the key technologies we use:

1. Signal App: This encrypted messaging app ensures secure communication between faculty and students. With built-in anonymity settings, it offers a safe space for class communications, discussions, and queries, allowing participants to engage freely without concerns about privacy or security breaches.

2. Google Meet: serves as the primary platform for conducting course classes and multimedia curriculum learning sessions. Its video conferencing capabilities are compatible with internet capabilities in Afghanistan and enable real-time interaction between instructors and students, facilitating dynamic online classes, discussions, and lectures. Through Google Meet, participants can engage in live sessions, ask questions, and actively participate in learning activities.

3. Google Classroom: serves as a centralized hub for course materials, homework submissions, and collaborative learning. Instructors can easily organize and share course resources, assignments, and multimedia content with students, streamlining the learning process. Students can access course materials and submit assignments within a structured online environment.

4. Google Docs: enables shared and collaborative content creation, allowing students and instructors to collaborate on projects, assignments, and group activities in real-time. Through Google Docs, staff can also collaborate on documents, presentations, and spreadsheets, fostering teamwork, creativity, and knowledge sharing.

5. Social Media and Email Marketing: we utilize social media platforms and email marketing campaigns to promote the initiative, engage potential donors and sponsors, and raise awareness about the crisis facing women in Afghanistan. Through strategic social media posts, targeted email newsletters, and online advocacy campaigns, Voices Unveiled amplifies its message, reaches a wider audience, and mobilizes support for its mission of empowering Afghan women through our education and empowerment initiatives.

6. Website Portal and GoFundMe for Fundraising: Voices Unveiled operates a website portal and a GoFundMe page to facilitate fundraising efforts and donor interaction. The website portal serves as a centralized platform for donors and sponsors to learn more about the initiative, make contributions, and track the impact of their donations. The GoFundMe page allows for broader donor participation and engagement, allowing individuals to contribute to the cause and support Afghan women's education and empowerment.

7. Website for Internal Training Videos: Voices Unveiled maintains a dedicated website where internal staff and instructors can access training videos and resources. These videos provide guidance on course delivery, online safety protocols, and cultural sensitivity, ensuring that staff are well-equipped to support students effectively.

By leveraging these technologies, Voices Unveiled creates an online learning ecosystem that empowers women in Afghanistan to access quality education, engage in interactive learning experiences, and collaborate with peers and instructors in a secure and supportive environment.

Working Board: 9

Program Director: 1

Intern Teaching Staff: 2

Intern Admin Staff: 2

Guest Speakers: 15

Project Consultants: 4

Mental Health Specialists: 2

Medical Specialists: 2

Legal Specialist: 2

Our initiative began 14 months ago in February 2023.

We currently collaborate with women and men in Afghanistan, Pakistan, the United States, Brazil and France. We look to work with individuals who offer insight, compassion, sensitivity and expertise that are specifically tailored to and address the real needs and of women in Afghanistan.