Roya Mahboob, an Afghan entrepreneur known for her work in technology and education, is launching a new initiative to continue providing education to Afghan girls under Taliban rule. With the Taliban’s strict restrictions on school attendance, Mahboob and her team are developing offline applications, secure underground networks, and a global robotics team to ensure that girls can still access learning materials. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to circumvent the Taliban’s ban on education for girls, which has left thousands of young women without formal schooling.
During a speech at the Doha Forum in Qatar in 2022, Mahboob emphasized the importance of using encrypted communication channels to protect the safety of her network and its participants. She also highlighted the role of local partnerships and small community networks of women in sustaining educational efforts. According to Mahboob, these local networks are essential for ensuring that the initiative remains effective and responsive to the needs of Afghan girls. ‘We are not just building an educational program; we are building a movement,’ she said.
The initiative represents a significant challenge in the ongoing struggle for girls’ education in Afghanistan. Despite the Taliban’s efforts to control education, Mahboob’s team is determined to find creative solutions that allow girls to continue learning. By combining technology with community-driven approaches, Mahboob is hoping to make a lasting impact on the future of education for Afghan girls. As the situation in Afghanistan remains uncertain, her efforts highlight the resilience and determination of those working to support girls’ education in the face of adversity.