Afghanistan today faces one of the gravest education and human rights crises of our time. Since August 2021, the Taliban’s return to power has reversed two decades of progress in women’s and girls’ education, employment, and public participation. At least 2.2 million girls are currently barred from school, and Afghan women are systematically excluded from universities, workplaces, and civic life. With nearly 63% of Afghans under the age of 25, the country is losing an entire generation of potential leaders, while over 80% of youth report symptoms of anxiety and depression.
This presentation examines the impact of gender apartheid in Afghanistan, highlighting both the local consequences, lost opportunities, silenced voices, and growing trauma and the global implications. The exclusion of women contributes to radicalization, projected economic losses of $9.6 billion by 2066, and mass migration that reshapes regional and international stability. It also threatens to normalize repression worldwide, weakening human rights standards and undermining the credibility of global governance.
Drawing from my work as with Afghans for Progressive Thinking (APT), I will share insights into how Afghan youth continue to resist through advocacy, education, and storytelling. I will also talk about the importance of global advocacy for supporting Afghan youth and women.
About the Speaker
Ajmal Ramyar is the Executive Director of Afghans for Progressive Thinking (APT), a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting youth leadership, education access, and human rights. He has over a decade of experience leading peacebuilding and advocacy initiatives across Afghanistan and internationally. Ajmal is currently pursuing a Master of International Public Policy (MIPP) at Balsillie School of International Affairs, specializing in Global Migration and Human Security. His research and advocacy focus on the intersection of education, youth participation, and women’s rights, with a particular emphasis on amplifying Afghan voices in global policy arenas.
