In September 2024, The What If organized a first dialogue with Afghan representatives to find solutions which will improve the access to and safety of women in the digital space .

 Objective of the Dialogue


To explore how Afghan women can access safe, inclusive, and high-quality online education amid Taliban-imposed restrictions, and to identify strategies to combat digital harassment and inequality in virtual learning environments.

A bit of context

Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, they have banned girls beyond the 6th grade to pursue their education. More than two million secondary school girls have been denied access to education as a result. Online education is often seen as the only solution for the girls to pursue their education. 

Likewise, women’s and education rights activists slowly moved into the digital space to continue their activism as they faced increasing violence and imprisonment for street protests by the Taliban regime. Social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) became crucial spaces for Afghan women to express their views, establish communities and campaign for their rights, also on an international level. After the recent Taliban rule that forbids women to talk in public, women across the internet orchestrated a campaign where they sang for their freedom.

But even online education and expression come at a high price. A 2023 report by the Afghan Witness (Center for Information Resilience) found that the online abuse and harassment against politically active women tripled after the Taliban takeover, targeting them with pornographic material as well as threats of sexual violence and death.

Furthermore, online education requires access to reliable technology and internet connectivity, and in terms of connectivity, Afghanistan is ranked the lowest in the world.

Why is the dialogue relevant

By bringing together civil society members on education and activism in the digital space (in particular in relation to women’s rights) a more holistic approach to secure women’s safety online can be developed. 

Including the perspectives of students, women’s rights activists, parents, teachers and religious leaders can shed more light on the opportunities and risks of technology to enable freedom of education and speech and better understand the fears and hopes associated with it.

Participants’ Backgrounds

Educators, digital activists, students, deans of women-led online universities, psychologists, and researchers, most actively engaged in Afghanistan’s underground or digital education initiatives. All have firsthand experience navigating online education under repression.

Five Key Takeaways

Online Education Is a Lifeline, But Not Yet Equitable


With physical schools shut down, online platforms remain the only viable option for girls’ education. However, access is highly unequal due to unreliable internet, power cuts, device scarcity, and unaffordable data plans. Solutions include recorded lessons, low-bandwidth content, and alternative communication via WhatsApp or Telegram.

For the students] who do not have internet access at all, or they have very limited access… we organized a class structure where they can continue their lessons by listening to voice messages shared by the instructor in the group, and also by accessing slides that are shared with them in the group… recorded videos are prepared and sent to them.

Cyber Harassment Is Undermining Learning and Advocacy


Online abuse, from sexual threats to digital surveillance, is rampant. Women suffer psychological trauma, self-censor, or withdraw from platforms. Activists and educators emphasized the need for digital literacy, secure platforms, and trauma-informed responses to online violence.

Security by Design: Anonymity Enables Access


Academies like Anar Academy have adopted pseudonym-based learning models, where no real names or locations are shared. These practices help protect female students from Taliban surveillance and social backlash, while ensuring continuity in education.

We have taken measures to ensure the security of our students. For instance, every student accesses the platform using a unique ID or code. This ensures that even when students interact within the platform, they remain anonymous to one another. No personal details such as their names, locations, or provinces are recorded or shared.

Solidarity and Mutual Support Are Critical to Resistance


Advocates repeatedly stressed the importance of organizing collectively, not just as educators, but as a movement. Trust-based networks, supportive families, and collaboration among institutions (inside and outside Afghanistan) are the foundation for women’s digital empowerment.

Engaging Men and Families Is Part of the Solution


Cultural norms remain a major barrier. Families often respond to online harassment with restrictions or violence against women, rather than support. Participants urged broader awareness campaigns that include fathers, brothers, and male guardians, to foster a protective and enabling home environment.

There is a critical need for both national and international institutions, including the government, to implement awareness-raising programs for fathers, brothers, and men in general who may lack the necessary knowledge. By increasing their awareness and understanding, they will be able to better comprehend the importance of respecting the rights of women and girls within the family and society.

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All participants names are withheld to protect their anonymity and safety.

We used AI to help us with the summary of the dialogue’s transcript, and with the copy editing of the final draft.