Change Makers of the World

In Afghanistan, schools for girls are still closed. Opportunities for learning and progress are very limited, and every day the hope of girls for a better future becomes weaker. But in this darkness, our girls do not give up. They grow like seeds and give hope to all of us. These are the girls of The Change Girls Academy Initiative.

Today, some of our students in Herat celebrated the completion of the first six months of their programme. With energy and courage, they showed that they are not only learners, but also a source of hope.

During this course, students were trained in several groups on key skills, including visual content production, front-end web development, design and user interface, full-stack development, and mobile application design. All lessons were held in person in Herat, with the support of our mentors.

We promised our students to stay with them on this path and to continue fighting for their rights.

Girls who want to join such programmes can apply here: www.cmworld.org/apply.

For more information, please visit: www.cmworld.org.

🇺🇸 English

Internet is the last bridge to education for thousands of Afghan students. With new restrictions announced by the Taliban, that bridge is under threat. We share our statement on this urgent matter.

🇮🇹 Italiano

Internet è l’ultimo ponte verso l’istruzione per migliaia di studenti afghani. Con le nuove restrizioni annunciate dai talebani, quel ponte è sotto minaccia. Condividiamo la nostra dichiarazione su questa questione urgente.

🇩🇪 Deutsch

Das Internet ist die letzte Brücke zur Bildung für Tausende afghanische Studierende. Mit den neuen von den Taliban angekündigten Beschränkungen ist diese Brücke bedroht. Wir teilen unsere Stellungnahme zu diesem dringenden Thema.

د اګست په ۱۲مه نړۍ د ځوانانو نړيواله ورځ لمانځي څو د هغو نظرونو، انرژۍ او مشرتابه درناوی وکړي چې ځوانان د روښانه راتلونکې د جوړولو لپاره راوړي. د افغان ځوانانو ائتلاف او د هغې همکارې ادارې په دې نړيواله لمانځنه کې ګډون کوي او خپله ژمنه بيا نوي کوي چې د افغان ځوانانو ترڅنګ ودرېږي، د هغوی غږونه پورته کړي او د هغوی د خوبونو ملاتړ وکړي. په همدې ورځ موږ د هغو افغان نجونو او هلکانو هڅې هم روښانه کوو چې زموږ په پروګرامونو کې برخه اخلي او د دوی زړورتيا او ليدلوری د هيلو الهام ګرځي، د دوی پيغامونه له نړۍ سره شريکوي، خلک د دوی غږونو ته د غوږ نيولو، د دوی ځواکمنۍ ته د ارزښت ورکولو او د دوی د هيلو ترڅنګ د تګ بلنه ورکوي.

---

On 12 August the world marks International Youth Day to recognize the ideas, energy and leadership that young people bring to building a better future. Afghan Youth Coalition and its partner organizations join this global celebration, reaffirming our commitment to stand with Afghan youth, amplify their voices and support their dreams. On this day we also highlight Afghan girls and boys in our programs whose courage and vision inspire hope, sharing their messages with the world to listen to them, value their strength and walk alongside their aspirations.

---

در ۱۲ آگست جهان روز جهانی جوانان را گرامی می‌دارد تا از اندیشه‌ها، انرژی و رهبری جوانان که برای ساختن آینده بهتر تلاش می‌کنند، قدردانی شود. ائتلاف جوانان افغان و نهادهای همکار آن به این جشن جهانی می‌پیوندند و تعهد خود را تجدید می‌کنند که در کنار جوانان افغان بایستند، صدای آنان را بلندتر سازند و از رویاهایشان پشتیبانی کنند. در این روز همچنان دختران و پسران افغان را که در برنامه‌های ما سهم دارند و شجاعت و دیدگاه آنان الهام‌بخش امید است، برجسته می‌سازیم و پیام‌های آنان را با جهان شریک می‌کنیم تا صدای آنان شنیده شود، توانایی‌هایشان ارزشمند شمرده شود و در کنار آرزوهایشان گام برداشته شود.

عید مبارک!
برای شما و خانواده‌تان عیدی پُر از صلح و برکت آرزو می‌کنیم.

در این عید، جوانان افغانستان بار دیگر خواستار بازگشایی مکاتب و دانشگاه‌ها برای دختران هستند.

⸻

اختر مو بختور شه!
تاسو او ستاسو کورنۍ ته د یو پُرامنه او برکتناکه اختر هیله کوو.

په دې اختر کې، د افغانستان ځوانان یو ځل بیا د نجونو لپاره د ښوونځیو او پوهنتونونو د بیا پرانیستلو غوښتنه کوي.

⸻

Eid Mubarak!
Wishing you and your family a peaceful and blessed Eid.

On this Eid, Afghan youth renew their call for the reopening of schools and universities for girls in Afghanistan.

Today marks 1,267 days since Afghan girls were banned from schools—1,267 days of lost dreams, stolen opportunities, and silenced voices. On this International Women’s Day, we must not look away. Afghan women and girls deserve education, freedom, and a future.

Read our statement and stand with us in demanding action. ✊💜

1,267 Days Without School—This International Women’s Day, Stand for Afghan Girls! Today marks 1,267 days since Afghan girls were banned from schools—1,267 days of lost dreams, stolen opportunities, and silenced voices. On this International Women’s Day, we must not look away. Afghan women and girls deserve education, freedom, and a future.Read our statement and stand with us ...

𝟭,𝟮𝟰𝟴 𝗗𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝗔𝗳𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗗𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Today, with a heavy heart and deep concern, we mark yet another painful milestone—1,248 days since girls were banned from attending school in Afghanistan. Soon, it will be four years. Four years of stolen dreams, lost potential, and futures fading into darkness.

This is not just an injustice—it is a national tragedy. No country has ever prospered by silencing and oppressing half its population. The Taliban must immediately lift this cruel ban and restore Afghan girls’ fundamental right to education.

Since August 2021, Afghan women and girls have faced sweeping restrictions on their most basic freedoms. Today, Afghanistan remains the only country in the world where girls are systematically barred from education at all levels. This is a stain on humanity’s conscience.

Time is running out. Every single day that passes is another day stolen from millions of Afghan girls. We cannot—and must not—stay silent. The world must act. The ban must end. Education must prevail.

Read more on our website at: https://bit.ly/4k1w4AD.

𝗙𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗳𝗴𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀' 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

The Taliban have banned Afghan girls from schools and universities, completely blocking their access to formal education. Girls are not allowed to attend school, and universities are officially closed to them. This is not just a challenge—it is a humanitarian catastrophe. But while the Taliban say no, Change Makers of the World and our dedicated volunteer team are saying yes. We are working tirelessly to provide education through online and secret in-person classes across Afghanistan.

On February 1, 2025, we held an online meeting with students from our programs in Afghanistan. Reza Hussaini, one of our founders, joined from the United States to speak with the students. He listened to their stories of resilience, heard about the struggles they face—including constant fear, financial struggles, and internet access issues—and offered motivation and support. He also presented future plans and opportunities that we are working on to further expand our programs.

Over the past months, we have been running language courses (English, Italian, German, etc.), academic subjects (math, physics, chemistry, etc.), and empowerment workshops to help girls secure scholarships and plan their futures. During the meeting, students shared their aspirations and the impact these classes have had on their lives.

One of our most important initiatives is the Afghan Girl Coders project, which trains Afghan girls in coding and computer science for six months. This program is designed to last at least a year and a half, giving students a chance to gain valuable skills that the Taliban want to deny them. The goal of this program is to prepare Afghan girls for independence by helping them enter the job market, particularly in online and remote work. Given the restrictions imposed on them, we are focusing on creating opportunities where they can work from home using their skills in computer science, programming, and technology.

In addition to technical education, we are also running empowerment programs that help students build confidence, manage stress, and develop leadership skills. This combination of technical training and personal development ensures that they are not only skilled but also prepared to navigate their futures with resilience and determination. Dozens of Afghan girls are currently enrolled in this program, and we are actively working to expand it to reach even more students in the future.

To expand opportunities, we are working on potential collaborations with Coursera, Google, and other organizations to provide more resources. We have submitted proposals and are actively reaching out to these platforms to establish partnerships that can help Afghan girls gain better access to education and career opportunities. These plans were part of the discussions during the meeting, reinforcing our commitment to broadening access to education.

Due to security concerns, we cannot always share reports or images, but our work continues every single day. Change Makers of the World is committed to ensuring that Afghan girls receive an education, no matter what obstacles are put in their way.

Education is a right, and we will not stop until every Afghan girl has the opportunity to learn and build a better future.

For more information, please visit our website at www.cmworld.org.

“It’s never too late to speak about peace. Together, we can change the world.”

Meet Jessica Gabrielli, a dedicated member of Change Makers of the World since 2020, now leading a peace community in Australia.

Watch the video below and stay tuned for updates on our impactful programs for human rights, quality education, and lasting peace.

Watch the video on our YouTube channel using the link below:

United for Change: Empowering Voices, Transforming Futures “It’s never too late to speak about peace. Together, we can change the world.”Meet Jessica Gabrielli, a dedicated member of Change Makers of the World since ...

Three years ago, the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan, plunging the nation into a relentless cycle of human rights abuses and a growing humanitarian crisis. The country now stands on the brink, with the rights and freedoms of its people, especially women and girls, under constant attack.

𝗪𝗢𝗠𝗘𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗚𝗜𝗥𝗟𝗦’ 𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦: 🚫📚

The Taliban’s oppressive policies have brutally stripped away the rights of Afghan women and girls. Education for millions of girls has been halted, with many female university students barred from continuing their studies. Women are prohibited from working and are confined to their homes, stripped of basic freedoms like going to parks or earning a living. They face forced marriages and must navigate their lives under severe restrictions, unable to step outside without a male guardian, their voices silenced and their futures grim.

𝗦𝗛𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗜𝗩𝗜𝗖 𝗦𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗘: 🔕👥

The Taliban has dismantled civic space, silencing those who dare to dissent. Speaking out comes with severe risks, including lethal consequences. The voices that once advocated for human rights have been forcibly silenced.

𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗦𝗘: 𝗔 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗦𝗜𝗟𝗘𝗡𝗖𝗘: 🌍🚨

The global community has largely failed to respond adequately to the crisis in Afghanistan. The Taliban’s blatant disregard for human rights, especially those of women and girls, has been met with disturbing silence.

𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗢𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗚𝗥𝗢𝗨𝗣𝗦: ⚠️🌐

Ethnic and religious minorities in Afghanistan face severe oppression under Taliban rule. Groups such as the Hazaras and Sikhs experience targeted violence, forced displacement, and systemic discrimination. The Taliban’s regime has intensified attacks on these communities, undermining their right to practice their religion and maintain their cultural identity. The atmosphere of fear and repression extends to all minority groups, compounding their suffering and marginalization.

These issues represent just a fraction of the profound crises facing Afghanistan today. Beyond the topics we’ve highlighted, the nation grapples with widespread poverty, health crises, and continuous violence. The international community’s response has been insufficient, and the Afghan people’s suffering remains urgent and multifaceted.

We at Change Makers of the World stand with Afghan women and girls, amplifying their voices and fighting for their rights. We call on the international community to act now, break the silence, and stand in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan.

Today marks Hazara Culture Day. Our team honors all the Hazara people across the world and wishes you a very happy Hazara Culture Day.

Wikipedia: Hazaras are one of the most persecuted groups in Afghanistan. More than half of the Hazara population was massacred by the Emirate of Afghanistan between 1888 and 1893, and their persecution has occurred various times across previous decades.

Change Makers of the World stays committed to human rights and girls' education. But don’t forget that together, we can change the world.