Fahima Noori had big dreams when she graduated from university in Afghanistan. She had studied law, graduated from a midwifery programme, and even worked in a mental health clinic. But all that was taken away when the Taliban swept into power in 2021. They banned girls over the age of 12 from getting an education, severely restricted job options for women, and recently removed books written by women from universities. For Fahima, the internet was her last lifeline to the outside world. I recently enrolled in an online university [and] I had hoped to finish my studies and find an online job, she said. On Tuesday, that lifeline was cut off when the Taliban imposed a nationwide internet shutdown set to last indefinitely. Our last hope was online learning. Now [even] that dream has been destroyed, said Fahima.
Over the past weeks, the Taliban government began severing fibre-optic internet connections across several provinces under the pretext of preventing immorality. As many feared, their worst fears came true with the announcement of a total internet blackout which has paralyzed essential services in the country. Many have lost contact with family and work, as mobile internet and satellite TV services are also affected.
Fahima's story is echoed by others like Shakiba, who lamented the loss of their educational opportunities. Teachers have also suffered from the internet shutdown; Zabi, an educator, stated that his students' dreams of further education have been dashed. As voices of despair rise, the Taliban has yet to provide an official reason for the shutdown, leaving the population in a struggle for communication and connection.
Over the past weeks, the Taliban government began severing fibre-optic internet connections across several provinces under the pretext of preventing immorality. As many feared, their worst fears came true with the announcement of a total internet blackout which has paralyzed essential services in the country. Many have lost contact with family and work, as mobile internet and satellite TV services are also affected.
Fahima's story is echoed by others like Shakiba, who lamented the loss of their educational opportunities. Teachers have also suffered from the internet shutdown; Zabi, an educator, stated that his students' dreams of further education have been dashed. As voices of despair rise, the Taliban has yet to provide an official reason for the shutdown, leaving the population in a struggle for communication and connection.
