About Right to Learn Afghanistan
Right to Learn Afghanistan (formerly Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan) exists to make the right to education a reality for Afghan women and girls. We uphold the fundamental human right to a quality education by providing purposeful educational programs and access to opportunities that foster agency, dignity, and choice. Click here to learn more about our programs.
Right to Learn Afghanistan is a federally registered charity in excellent standing with the Canada Revenue Agency (Charity #887718203RR0001) and works in partnership with Global Affairs Canada. We are also registered as a non-profit organization with Industry Canada. Right to Learn Afghanistan is proud to be a non-government organization in official partnership with UNESCO (consultative status), and holds Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (since 2023).
In operation since 1998, we uphold transparency and financial accountability at the forefront of our operations. We are audited annually and publicly disclose our audited annual statements.
Right to Learn Afghanistan began advancing women’s empowerment across various sectors in 1998 including education, healthcare, advocacy, and economic development. Through years of practical experience and global research, we consistently found that education — particularly the education of women and girls — is the key factor in creating profound and lasting benefits for present and future generations.
In addition to being a fundamental human right, education of women and girls results in:
- Increased Health and Wellbeing: Women and their families are healthier, are less likely to resort to child marriage, and experience reduced rates of maternal, child, and infant mortality.
- Educated Children: Literate and educated mothers prioritize education and raise literate and educated children, resulting in impact that spans generations.
- Reduced Poverty: Literacy and education are the single most effective methods of reducing poverty. Educated women not only contribute to the financial security of their families but to the economic development and stability of their communities.
- Empowerment and Agency: Educated women emerge as influential catalysts for societal transformation, armed with critical thinking skills to advocate for their rights and make informed choices that shape their futures.
Afghanistan is the only country in the world where women and girls are banned from receiving an education. It is our responsibility, as global citizens, to ensure this critical fundamental right is upheld.
About Afghanistan
In August 2021, the Taliban once again seized power in Afghanistan. This drove away economic investments, international aid and ties with the international community.
Since assuming control, the Taliban have issued over 100 edicts restricting the activities of women and girls. Girls over the age of 12 have been banned from school, resulting in 1.4 million girls being denied secondary school and 100,000 women being denied access to higher education (UNESCO, 2023). Overall, at least 2.5 million school-age girls are out of school. Women are restricted from working, have limited access to healthcare, and have significant restrictions on their freedom of movement, dress, and speech.
These bans are fueling one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world (World Vision, 2024) and Afghanistan ranks as the worst country in the world to be a woman (GIWPS, 2023). The current situation in Afghanistan is one of gender apartheid where the system of rule centres on the oppression of women and girls. Learn more about gender apartheid here.
Afghanistan has a long history of conflict, war, and terrorism, including the first period of Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001. Between 2001 and 2021, Afghanistan made tremendous gains in health, education, women’s rights, and the economy.
By 2001, 1.1 million girls were attending secondary school in Afghanistan and over 100,000 women were attending higher education.
The international community supported women’s entrepreneurship, and many Afghans who had previously left the country returned to Afghanistan to start businesses and support the country’s growth. Women held seats in government, and in many instances, women became the primary breadwinners of their families (World Bank, 2020).
From 2001 to 2021, Right to Learn Afghanistan trained over 10,000 teachers, established over 340 school and community libraries, 200 school science labs, and implemented an award-winning community based literacy program for over 5,000 women. By investing in education, our programs not only provided pathways of opportunity for Afghan women, but impacted all areas of the country’s growth and development.
There is no acceptable reason behind the systemic discrimination targeting women and girls in Afghanistan. The Taliban conceptualized and propagated an ideological belief system that considers females as fundamentally inferior to males and where women and girls should be under the complete subjugation of men. Drawing from these views, the Taliban have issued over 100 edicts that prevent women from studying, working, and traveling; women are required to have a male chaperone wherever they go (United States Institute of Peace). Learn more about gender apartheid.
While foreign aid and intervention are restricted, many international non-governmental organizations and multilateral agencies have invested in programs and projects aimed at supporting Afghans in Afghanistan and those who are displaced in other countries; however, several laws implemented by the Taliban are preventing organizations from meeting many basic needs under the current regime. For example, the Taliban’s ban on women working for NGOs means that aid agencies face challenges reaching women and girls in need of humanitarian assistance.
About Our Programs
We have major five program areas including:
- Darakht-e Danesh Academi (virtual education opportunities)
- Grants and Scholarships
- Advocacy and Engagement
- Safe Harbour Resettlement
- Bridge to Learning
Click here to learn about our program areas and the projects within each program that advance our mission of upholding the fundamental right to a quality education.
Right to Learn Afghanistan harnesses the power of technology and offers free, online programming internationally so Afghans can keep learning, regardless of circumstance. From our online library with over 8,000 resources in nine languages, to our online high school that offers Afghan students an education that is accredited in Canada, we offer multiple programs that are designed to follow the learner and connect students with their fundamental right to a quality education.
Right to Learn Afghanistan’s programs are offered internationally and comply with Canadian regulations. Safety and security of program participants is our top priority. Our students participate with informed consent, and we apply stringent security measures to protect our students and teachers. We are guided by the experiences and stories of students in our programs who often tell us: “the biggest risk I face is not having access to education.”
Donations and Getting Involved
There are many ways to help. Visit our “Get Involved” page to learn more. As the Afghan proverb claims, “Drop by drop, a river is made.” Each and every contribution — such as signing a petition, making a donation, or joining a volunteer chapter — helps build positive and lasting change in solidarity with Afghan women and girls. Thank you for supporting Right to Learn Afghanistan, so we can provide educational opportunities for as many Afghan women and girls as possible.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Right to Learn Afghanistan!
Our dedicated and passionate volunteers are at the heart of everything we do. Whether you can contribute a few hours or make a longer-term commitment, we offer a variety of meaningful volunteer opportunities.
You can join one of our nine volunteer chapters across Canada or apply your unique skills in a specialized role that matches your experience and interests. No matter how you choose to get involved, your contribution will help create real change for Afghan women and girls seeking access to education.
Click here to explore current volunteer opportunities and find the role that’s right for you.
Please click here to make a donation. Thank you for your support.
Yes. Since our founding in 1998, we pride ourselves on stretching every donation to make the most impact possible. In addition to low administrative costs and minimal overhead, we work hard to ensure accountability for every dollar donated. We have developed a robust system of accountability, implementing a variety of policies, checks and balances to ensure financial transparency, prevent fraud, measure investment results, sustain projects, and maintain high-quality standards. Some of our governance policies can be found here.
Right to Learn Afghanistan is grateful for contributions from individuals and communities across Canada through monthly or annual donations made by cheque or online. We also receive donations from foundations, institutional donors, and service clubs. Right to Learn is also grateful to be in partnership with Global Affairs Canada. A list of our funding and program partners is found on our site.
Yes! We issue CRA approved income tax receipts for all donations. The most effective way to obtain a tax receipt is to donate online. A tax receipt will be emailed to you within minutes of making a donation. If you prefer to donate by cheque, we will send your tax receipt by mail.
No, donations cannot be directed to a specific student or family. However, you can designate your donation to a specific program by selecting a program area on our donation forms.
Yes! Guidance on how to donate stocks and securities can be found here.
Yes! Guidance on how to include us in your will can be found here.
We are unable to process cryptocurrency donations at this time.
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