USAID has suspended its scholarship program for 208 Afghan women, leaving students in uncertainty about their educational future.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has abruptly halted its scholarship program for 208 Afghan women. This decision was announced on Sunday, April 6, and was communicated to students via email. The program was ended “due to a review and misalignment with current agency priorities.”
The scholarship program, initially launched in 2018 with a $50 million investment from USAID, was managed by the American University of Afghanistan (AUAF). It covered tuition and living expenses for Afghan women studying in Afghanistan, Qatar, and Oman in fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
This initiative provided Afghan women with a vital opportunity to pursue higher education following the Taliban’s ban on girls’ education. Many of the scholarship recipients were studying either online or in-person, enabling them to continue their studies despite the difficult political climate.
One Afghan student, referred to only as Zahra for security reasons, spoke to US National Radio, saying, “This scholarship was everything to me, a light in the darkest days of my life.” She mentioned that she had completed half of her curriculum but now faces an uncertain future due to the sudden end of the program.
An official from the program, who wished to remain anonymous due to a lack of official authorization, mentioned attempts to extend the scholarship program until 2030. However, they have yet to receive a clear response from the US Department of State or USAID.
The abrupt end to this scholarship program has left many Afghan women in limbo, particularly those who had invested significant time and effort into their studies. This decision raises concerns about the future of international support for Afghan education, especially for women and girls.
The move has sparked criticism from both students and advocates who see it as a setback for Afghan women’s rights and access to education. While USAID has stated the decision was made due to shifting priorities, many are questioning the lack of a clear plan for the affected students.
As the situation continues to unfold, there are growing calls for more transparent communication from USAID and the US government regarding their future plans for supporting Afghan women in education.
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