Help Afghan Women Continue their Education

by Ascent

Project Report | Aug 23, 2024
Rebuilding Dreams: How Afghan Women at ASCENT are Shaping Their Future Amidst Adversity

By Afghan ASCENT Academy (AAA) | Afghan Ascent Academy's President

At ASCENT College, we have always strived to provide quality education to Afghan women, empowering them to pursue their dreams and build a better future for themselves and their communities. However, the political upheaval in Afghanistan has forced us to rethink and adapt our strategies to continue serving our students in these challenging times. As we navigate this uncertain landscape, I am excited to share some significant updates that mark a new chapter in our journey.

The humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has reached alarming levels. According to the World Food Program, nine out of ten Afghan families lack adequate food, with children and pregnant women being the hardest hit. The International Rescue Committee reports that over 90% of the country’s population is living in poverty, with more than half reliant on humanitarian aid. These dire circumstances have made it increasingly difficult for women to access education and employment opportunities.

In response to these challenges, we are rebranding ASCENT College as Afghan ASCENT Academy (AAA). This rebranding is more than just a name change; it reflects our renewed commitment to providing Afghan women with the skills and resilience they need to navigate these challenging times. Starting this November, we will launch a new one-year diploma program focusing on entrepreneurial and resilience-building skills. This program will train women master trainers who will then pass on their knowledge to hundreds of young women entrepreneurs in Afghanistan and abroad using our online platform. By equipping these women with the tools they need to succeed, we aim to empower them to create sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families.

The rebranding of our institution to the Afghan Ascent Academy signifies a broader vision. We will now offer multidisciplinary, short-term and one-year entrepreneurship diploma programs that enable women to gain economic empowerment. These programs will be delivered online, allowing women to continue their education safely and securely, even in the face of gender-specific restrictions imposed by the Taliban. The 2022 Afghanistan Humanitarian Needs Overview highlights the unique vulnerabilities faced by Afghan women and girls, with gender inequality exacerbating the impacts of conflict and economic crisis. By providing modern entrepreneurship education grounded in local socio-economic values, we believe that Afghan women can achieve measurable economic empowerment, even in the most challenging circumstances.

None of this would be possible without your generous support. Your contributions have been instrumental in helping us adapt to the challenges we face and continue our mission of empowering Afghan women through education. As we embark on this new chapter, we ask for your continued support to help us make a lasting impact. Stay tuned for updates on our entrepreneurship training program in our subsequent quarterly report.

Thank you for standing with us as we work to create a brighter future for Afghan women.Together, we can make a difference, and we are forever grateful for your continued support.

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Mar 20, 2024
Thanks for being part of our academic journey in Afghanistan!

By ASCENT COLLEGE | President's Office

At ASCENT College, as we embark on a new academic year, which in Afghanistan begins in March, we're excited to share a significant milestone achieved with your invaluable support. This year, we've taken a giant leap forward by welcoming four part-time female faculty members, a move that has allowed us to introduce twelve additional online courses in the faculty of law. This expansion comes at a perfect time, enabling our students to access these courses in the current semester and enrich their 2024 academic journey.

Our efforts at ASCENT are guided by a dual mission: to provide quality higher education and to ensure that women from financially disadvantaged backgrounds and minorities have access to education. In response to the Taliban's ban on women's education in traditional on-campus settings, we, as a nonprofit higher education institution, launched a secure online platform. Currently, almost 200 out of our 612 female students are actively engaged in online courses. However, there are still over 400 students eager to join these online classes but are hindered by a lack of access to digital devices.

Bridging from this overarching challenge to a more personal narrative, the story of one student, Mahjabeen (pseudonym), 28, vividly illustrates the profound impact of our mission. When asked why she pursues her education despite knowing the limited job market for women in Afghanistan, she replied, "I am studying because I am hopeful that the Taliban's gender-apartheid policy will end.... Education is my treasure, which I can use anytime to create opportunities for myself and my family, regardless of the challenges.... Continuing my education keeps my hopes high and gives me a purpose to live. I am lucky to have this opportunity….; otherwise, I could have been one of the many women who have lost hope and succumbed to despair.”

Your support is more critical than ever. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 80% of all suicide attempts in Afghanistan are made by women. Education at ASCENT is not just preventing girls from falling into despair; it is giving them hope to stand tall, investing their time in studying hard with the future in mind.

We are at a pivotal moment where your support can help elevate the hopes of Afghan female students during these dark times. We are counting on your generosity to assist us in this noble cause. Together, we have the power to transform the lives of these women, offering them more than just education but a ray of hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Thank you for your continued support.

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Nov 9, 2023
Thank you for standing with Afghan women

By ASCENT COLLEGE | President

In the heart of Afghanistan, where the Taliban's de facto government had cast a shadow over the dreams of many women seeking higher education, with your support, we at ASCENT College became the glimmer of hope. As the country's only nonprofit institution dedicated to educating women, we faced the daunting challenge of providing access to knowledge amid adversity. When traditional face-to-face learning was banned for women, you helped us turn to innovation and resilience.

Your timely donations on the GlobalGiving website strengthened our hybrid learning program developed during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Of our 612 female students, about 200 have embarked on an online education journey within a secure learning platform.

Among them is Sharifa, a determined 22-year-old student who shared, "Without my online studies, I would have fallen into despair like thousands of women in my county." While the path to her dream job remains uncertain, she clings to her education as a beacon of hope for a brighter future.

ASCENT College aspires to be the pillar of strength and hope not just for Sharifa but for all the female students affected by Afghanistan's latest political changes. Yet, this journey is far from over. To continue our mission, we rely on your generous support; without it, our current achievements would remain a distant dream.

We have successfully built our online university, but over 400 ASCENT female students lack the essential tools – laptops, smartphones, and internet dongles – to access this platform. We look to the compassionate hearts of those who believe in the power of education to transform lives, both within Afghanistan and among refugees in neighbouring countries.

Together, we can ensure that the light of knowledge continues to shine, guiding these women toward a future filled with promise and opportunity. At ASCENT we are forever grateful for joining us on this life-changing journey of hope during these challenging times that have affected all Afghans, particularly Afghan girls and women.

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