Right to Learn Afghanistan
Right to Learn Afghanistan, previously known as Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, is a federally registered charity that exists to make the right to education a reality (Canada Revenue Agency #887718203RR0001). Since 1998, Right to Learn Afghanistan has supported human rights and education for Afghan girls and women, training 10,000+ teachers, establishing 300+ libraries and science labs, and creating an online educational library with tens of thousands of monthly downloads.
After the Taliban’s 2021 decrees banning girls from attending school beyond grade six and prohibiting women from pursuing higher education, Right to Learn Afghanistan quickly adapted to provide free, high-quality online education alternatives. Right to Learn’s award winning educational programming and global thought leadership champion gender equity and the universal right to learn.
Right to Learn Afghanistan exists to make the right to education a reality for Afghan women and girls. We uphold the fundamental human right to a quality education by providing purposeful educational programs and access to opportunities that foster agency, dignity, and choice.
Since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in August 2021, they have issued over 100 edicts and laws that have systematically taken away women’s rights and pushed them out of society. Afghanistan is the only country in the world where women and girls are banned from receiving an education.
More than 25 years of practical experience and indisputable evidence from around the world has shown us that education — particularly the education of women and girls — is the key factor in creating profound and lasting benefits for present and future generations. Education results in: Improved health and wellbeing for women and their families. Reduced rates of child marriage and maternal and infant mortality. Intergenerational change: Literate and educated mothers raise literate and educated children. Reduced poverty. Enhanced empowerment and agency to advocate for rights and make informed choices.
Right to Learn Afghanistan has nimbly and strategically adapted our programs to meet the needs of Afghan women and girls including those who have fled to neighbouring countries.
Online Library
Our Darakht-e Danesh Online Library hosts over 8,500 free resources in nine Afghan languages. It is the first Afghan library to host audiobooks to ensure accessibility of learning for all.
Online High School
Our Darakht-e Danesh Classroom online high school serves 700 students and employs qualified Afghan teachers. Students participate in live, online classes following an enhanced Afghan curriculum, with opportunities to join extracurricular clubs and access mental health support. Upon graduation, students receive an internationally recognized high school diploma.
Online Courses
Our Darakht-e Danesh Courses platform offers 20+ free, online courses. The courses are offered in three languages: Dari, Pashto, and English. Courses are asynchronous and range in offerings from Beginner’s English to Starting an Online Business.
“For Afghan girls, online education offers a vital pathway to learning, one that is accessible and enriching. As I continue my education through Darakht-Danesh, I am hopeful for future opportunities and support.
I am immensely grateful for the chance to pursue my dreams, indebted to Darakht-Danesh for their unwavering support. To all who have joined me on this journey, thank you for your encouragement and belief.” – Grade 9 student, Darakht-e Danesh Classroom
Borderless Educational Solutions
As thousands of Afghan students are displaced in neighbouring countries, Right to Learn Afghanistan works with UNHCR refugee schools in Pakistan to ensure teachers and students are supported in these uncertain and challenging conditions. By facilitating care-based curriculums, teacher professional development, and communities of practice, over 50 teachers and 1,500 students are benefitting from support.
Right to Learn is also working with partners at Digital Learning Centres in Turkey and Pakistan to connect displaced Afghan students to our online high school.
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Resettlement
Every day, Afghan women contact us seeking safety and a chance to live freely. Although each story is deeply personal, each story also shares one powerful truth: every woman deserves to choose her own path and claim her fundamental rights.
Since August 2021, we have welcomed 121 individuals to Canada through our Safe Harbour Resettlement Program. As a Sponsorship Agreement Holder, we work with community groups to sponsor Afghan women and their families.
Advocating for Change
Right to Learn partners with Afghan women and youth to defend the right to education and advance human rights through advocacy and policy influence. By fostering awareness and mobilizing supporters across Canada and globally, the program ensures that Afghan women’s voices and rights remain central to international action and dialogue.
Learn more about our programs and how you can get involved at righttolearn.ca
Right to Learn Afghanistan is thankful for our support of volunteer Chapters across Canada. These community volunteer groups advance our mission by hosting local fundraising events, promoting advocacy initiatives, and acting as local representatives to raise awareness about the human rights crisis in Afghanistan. Everyone is welcome to join a chapter community in support of Afghan women and girls’ right to education. Join us!
Despite the complete upheaval of the political landscape since 2021, our mission has not changed, and in fact is more vital than ever. We exist to make the right to a quality education a reality and we know that education – particularly the education of women and girls – is the key factor in creating profound and lasting benefits for present and future generations.
With over 25 years of experience in meeting the educational needs of Afghan women and girls, we remain committed to strategically adapting and upholding the right to learn under any circumstances. As our programs continue to grow in scope and scale to meet demand, we are dedicated to restoring access to purposeful educational programs that foster agency, empowerment, dignity, and choice.
Find out more about Right to Learn Afghanistan on their website
