Premium

Over 80 Afghan women, who fled Taliban to study, might return to Kabul amid Trump’s funding freeze of USAID

The Trump administration’s sweeping cuts for the foreign aid programmes has affected 82 Afghan women’s scholarship programmes under which they were studying in Oman via the USAID.

As Taliban gained power after US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, it has implemented draconian laws for women to restrict them from virtually all activities. (AP Photo/ Representational)

In a major setback for more than 80 Afghan women who fled the Taliban controlled Afghanistan to Oman to pursue higher education, they face a possible return amid US President Donald Trump’s funding freeze order for the US Agency for International Development (USAID) programmes across the globe.

The Trump administration’s sweeping cuts for the foreign aid programmes has affected over 80 Afghan women’s scholarship programmes under which they were studying in Oman via the USAID. The Republican president ordered the cuts in January as soon as he took office for a second time after 2016-2020 tenure.

A student, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told BBC “It was heart-breaking. Everyone was shocked and crying. We’ve been told we will be sent back within two weeks.”

Story continues below this ad

Also Read | As Taliban ban education for women in Afghanistan, a school in New Delhi fights back

As Taliban gained power after US withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021, it has implemented draconian laws for women to restrict them from virtually all activities, which includes banning women from universities.

According to a BBC report, about 82 mails were sent to Afghan women students which clearly stated that their scholarships have been “discontinued” due to the termination of the programme and the termination of USAID funding by the American government.

Also Read | ‘This is solidarity’: Afghan professor tears diplomas on TV after Taliban bans women’s education

Though Trump’s order of freezing the USAID funding has faced legal troubles, more than thousand humanitarian programmes across the globe have already been affected and shut due to funding freeze by the US administration, which has cut tens of billions of dollars in spending.

One of the women told BBC, “We need immediate protection, financial assistance and resettlement opportunities to a safe country where we can continue our education.”

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram