Afghan girls and women are going online as a last resort to get around the Taliban administration's restrictions on studying and working. But they face a host of problems from power cuts to cripplingly slow internet speeds
"Can you hear me?" she asks repeatedly, checking her connection."As usual," a fellow student equally frustrated with the poor communications sighs as the class gets going again.
One of the most striking changes since the Taliban were first in power from 1996 to 2001, is the explosion of the internet. The Taliban administration has allowed girls to study individually at home and has not moved to ban the internet, which its officials use to make announcements via social media. "I couldn't continue," she said. "It's too hard to access internet in Afghanistan and sometimes we have half an hour of power in 24 hours."
Daniel Kalmanson, spokesperson for online University of the People, which has had more than 15,000 applications from Afghan girls and women since the Taliban took over, said students could attend lectures at any time that conditions allowed them to, and professors granted extensions for assignments and exams when students faced connection problems.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Old photo shows Afghan soldier in Kabul, not 'Pakistani soldier hitting woman in Lahore'A photo that appears to show a soldier about to beat a woman with his rifle has been shared in multiple social media posts that falsely claim it was taken during clashes between police and supporters of Imran Khan outside the former Pakistani prime minister's residence in the Zaman Park suburb in Lahore in March 2023. The photo has in fact circulated online since at least October 2022. It shows a Taliban soldier and a protester during a demonstration by ethnic Hazara women in Afghanistan's capital Kabul.
Read more »
Johnny Depp living quiet, low-key life in English countryside: ‘I’m a shy person’The actor is enjoying life away from the spotlight in the English countryside — a far cry from the flashy Hollywood lifestyle he came to know so well.
Read more »
Johnny Depp enjoying life in English countryside: 'I can just be me'Johnny Depp shared that he is living in Somerset, England, where he can get away from the hustle and bustle and 'just be me.'
Read more »
Afghan skipper Rashid hails maiden T20 win against PakistanAfghanistan captain Rashid Khan hailed the team's maiden T20 victory against Pakistan but said their front-line batters need to improve ahead of the 50-overs World Cup in India later this year.
Read more »
Taliban want control of more Afghan diplomatic missionsISLAMABAD (AP) — The Taliban government is trying to take charge of more Afghan embassies abroad, a spokesman said Saturday, amid their continued international isolation because of restrictions on women and girls.
Read more »