Barred From School, She Went to Congress

Sahar Naseri, a 17-year-old Afghan student, traveled to Washington D.C. in April to meet with members of Congress and raise awareness about the Taliban’s ban on girls’ secondary and higher education in Afghanistan. The indefinite restriction, imposed in 2021, has blocked Naseri from continuing her own education beyond the ninth grade. She was supported by the nonprofit Afghan Scout Relief Fund, which secured her a scholarship to study in the United States. Naseri’s advocacy stems from her personal experience: she was raised in Kabul and attended school until the Taliban takeover disrupted her education. Her mother was denied schooling after first grade, and her 8-year-old brother remains in Kabul with their parents. Now studying computer science and politics at the University of San Francisco (USF), Naseri aims to use technology to bridge gaps in accessibility, particularly for marginalized communities. Her decision to attend USF was influenced by the university’s support for women and its scholarship programs. The International Student and Scholar Services office at USF has been instrumental in her transition, providing advocacy and assistance. Naseri described the campus as a place where ‘people care about each other,’ and she feels empowered by her professors, who she says ‘give us wings to fly.’ During her meetings, Naseri represented Afghan Scout Relief Fund and shared stories of Afghan women and girls affected by the education ban. She emphasized the need for global attention to restore educational opportunities for Afghan girls, highlighting the broader humanitarian crisis. Her visit to Congress marked a pivotal moment in her mission to advocate for change and support her community from afar.