Hazrat Wahriz’s Initiative Empowers Girls’ Education in Afghanistan
Mohaddesa Hassani, a tenth-grade student in Kabul a few years ago, faced turmoil when a teacher abruptly halted exams due to the Taliban resurgence in August 2021. As the Taliban prohibited girls’ education beyond sixth grade, Hassani’s dreams were shattered, but she found hope through clandestine classes supported by Daricha School, a Toronto-based organization led by Hazrat Wahriz.
Wahriz, a former Afghan university instructor and government official, established Daricha School to provide a “window to a better future” for Afghan girls. Despite risks of detention and torture, the organization supports 175 teachers and over 6,000 students, offering subjects like math, science, and English in covert home-based classrooms.
While the Taliban’s education ban has devastated Afghan women and girls, Lauryn Oates from Right to Learn Afghanistan highlighted the dire consequences, including increased child marriages and limited employment opportunities. However, organizations like Daricha continue to defy the ban, with support from local communities and the Afghan diaspora.
Wahriz emphasized the importance of education in challenging the Taliban’s oppressive policies, noting that no Daricha classroom has been raided since their inception in 2021. The organization’s impact extends beyond traditional schooling, empowering girls to pursue education and resist forced marriages.
Additionally, Hassani, now studying psychology in California, co-founded an online tutoring network with Daricha’s assistance, connecting hundreds of Afghan girls with tutors worldwide. The organization also guides graduates in pursuing higher education abroad, fostering a global network of empowered women.
Oates emphasized the need for international support to sustain these educational initiatives and bridge the gap left by the Afghan authorities. She emphasized the long-term impact of investing in Afghan educators, who are crucial for rebuilding the country and fostering peace in the future.
Wahriz remains hopeful for Afghanistan’s future, believing that education can drive positive change, echoing the transformative impact his teachers had on his life. His vision aligns with empowering the next generation for a brighter tomorrow.