Internet Shutdown in Afghanistan: A Generation's Dreams Dashed

Mon Oct 20 2025 19:41:58 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Taliban's indefinite internet blackout impacts Afghan women's education and hopes, cutting off crucial access to online learning.

Fahima Noori graduated with dreams of a brighter future, only to see them shattered with the Taliban's recent nationwide internet shutdown. This move has left female students and educators feeling helpless as their last hope for education and opportunities fades. Without access to online learning, many individuals, including teachers and students, have lost their means to learn and earn a living. This drastic decision reflects the ongoing crackdown on women's rights and freedoms in Afghanistan.

Internet Shutdown in Afghanistan: A Generation's Dreams Dashed

Fahima Noori had big dreams when she graduated from university in Afghanistan. She studied law, graduated from a midwifery programme, and worked in a mental health clinic. But all that changed when the Taliban took control in 2021, banning education for girls over 12 and limiting job options for women.

The internet was her last lifeline, connecting her to online education and job opportunities. I recently enrolled in an online university and hoped to finish my studies and find an online job, she said. However, that hope was extinguished when the Taliban initiated an indefinite nationwide internet shutdown.

Fahima lamented, Our last hope was online learning. Now even that dream has been destroyed.

This sweeping internet blockade is seen as part of the Taliban's efforts to impose strict controls on society, claiming it is to prevent immorality. Netblocks, an internet watchdog, described the situation as a total internet blackout, disrupting essential services and communication.

Students like Shakiba and teachers like Zabi are similarly affected. Shakiba expressed her desire for education, stating, When I heard that the internet had been cut, the world felt dark to me. Meanwhile, Zabi, an English teacher, faced heartbreak as his students missed crucial exams due to the shutdown.

This drastic move has also harmed the economy. Business owners report significant disruptions, and parents worry about their children's lost educational opportunities. As Zabi noted, For my female students, this was their last chance. And now even that is gone.

The Taliban claims to respect women's rights under their interpretation of Islamic law, yet actions like banning books by women from universities contradict this narrative. The ongoing situation raises serious concerns about the future for Afghan women and the country's youth.