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Afghanistan Newsroom

The Afghanistan Newsroom is a collaborative effort of the Oxford School for the Future of Journalism (OXSFJ) and LEARN Afghan to provide girls in Afghanistan the fundamental right to education following the Taliban ban on them accessing secondary and higher education.

Through this initiative, students from LEARN who are part of the LEARN Journalism Club contribute to Harbingers’ Magazine. LEARN provides the necessary fiscal, social, and logistical support to ensure these students can participate in the Journalism Club, while OXSFJ conducts weekly journalism classes to equip Afghan girls with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue journalism.

Under the scheme, girls aged 13-21 attend weekly online classes in English with OXSFJ’s instructor Tamana Jamily, who took over from Sarah Hussain. The first cohort (2023/24) successfully completed the course, and the 2024/25 cohort consists of 10 students.

Due to safety and security concerns, given the current circumstances in Afghanistan, only the first names of the students are made public and sensitive information that could put them, their families or LEARN staff at risk, is withheld.

Cohort 2024/25

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Aqlima

Afghanistan

Contributor

OXSFJ & LEARN Afghan Project

Illustration by Yuliia Muliar

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Asal

Afghanistan

Contributor

OXSFJ & LEARN Afghan Project

Illustration by Yuliia Muliar

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Ghutai

Afghanistan

Contributor

OXSFJ & LEARN Afghan Project

Illustration by Yuliia Muliar

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Hadiya

Afghanistan

Contributor

OXSFJ & LEARN Afghan Project

Illustration by Yuliia Muliar

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Mahnaz

Afghanistan

Contributor

OXSFJ & LEARN Afghan Project

Illustration by Yuliia Muliar

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Mahwa

Afghanistan

OXSFJ & LEARN Afghan project

Illustration by Yuliia Muliar

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Malaika

Afghanistan

Contributor

OXSFJ & LEARN Afghan Project

Illustration by Yuliia Muliar

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Nabila

Afghanistan

Contributor

OXSFJ & LEARN Afghan Project

Illustration by Yuliia Muliar

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Sama

Afghanistan

OXSFJ & LEARN Afghan Project

Illustration by Yuliia Muliar

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Zala

Afghanistan

Contributor

OXSFJ & LEARN Afghan Project

Illustration by Yuliia Muliar

Cohort 2023/24

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Zohra

Afghanistan

OXSFJ & LEARN Afghan Project

Illustration by Yuliia Muliar

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Mahwa

Afghanistan

OXSFJ & LEARN Afghan project

Illustration by Yuliia Muliar

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Shanhaza

Afghanistan

OXSFJ & LEARN Afghan Project

Illustration by Yuliia Muliar

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Swita

Afghanistan

OXSFJ & LEARN Afghan Project

Illustration by Yuliia Muliar

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Naziya

Afghanistan

OXSFJ & LEARN Afghan Project

Illustration by Yuliia Muliar

Project editor

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Camilla

Savelieva

Economics Section Editor 2024

United Kingdom

Former project editor

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Sofiya

Suleimenova

International Affairs Section Editor 2023

Geneva, Switzerland

Featured article:

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Welcome to the new Afghanistan Newsroom

In Afghanistan, where the Taliban’s restrictions have silenced the dreams of many young girls, a resilient group of students refuses to give up on their aspirations. Despite being denied access to education, including a recent restriction on being midwives or nurses, these ten determined girls are boldly pursuing their goals, from becoming doctors and business leaders to journalists

Ten female LEARN Journalism Club students writing for Harbingers’ Magazine share their hopes

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Against all odds: Afghan girls want to learn

The message is simple. Education for children is a fundamental right, and our gender should make no difference. Afghan girls are the strongest girls. Just let them improve and study. Allow them back into school

17 year-old Zohra shares the unwavering determination of Afghan girls to pursue their education

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How volunteers are helping to serve as a ‘beacon of hope’ in Afghanistan

Two years after the Taliban’s supposed temporary ban, another academic year has started, leaving girls in Afghanistan at a greater disadvantage. Inspired by the efforts of organisations to provide education to girls and women, I volunteered and witnessed the difference they can make

17 year-old Zohra on the resilient efforts of local organisations in providing life-changing opportunities to girls and young women in Afghanistan

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Interesting facts about the galaxy you should know about

Studying galaxies helps us understand the universe’s history, structure and evolution, opening us up to an extraordinary space that we often overlook in our daily lives

16 year-old Sama explores the world beyond our solar system and facts about our universe

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The importance of striking a healthy balance on social media

Social media is a realm where borders blur, friendships transcend geographical barriers, and voices resound across continents. But in the vast world of online platforms, we must use these tools wisely to avoid the growing dangers it can pose

17 year-old Shanhaza and 15 year-old Mahwa warn of the dangers hidden in social media’s vast potential

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‘Girls go missing, schools are closed down, teachers persecuted’. Fight for education in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

Pashtana Dorani is the founder of an organisation running ‘illegal’ underground schools for girls in Afghanistan. She knows first-hand the struggles girls and those teaching them face since the US and their allies withdrew and the Taliban regained control of the country

16 year-old Sofiya Suleimenova interviews Afghan human rights activist

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How human rights advocate Sima Samar inspired me to never give up

Sima Samar is a strong supporter and advocate for her people, and girls like me are continually inspired by her work to make our futures better. Girls can take note of these qualities, despite the restrictions they may face, and become great leaders

16 year-old Swita expresses admiration for Afghan human rights activist Sima Samar, and discusses the key attributes of a good leader

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What young Afghan women want to achieve in the world of technology

Despite bans on women’s education and rights in Afghanistan, technology is enabling them to look beyond their restrictive environment to gain more knowledge and chase their dreams

13 year-old Naziya surveys Afghan women on the potential of technology as a tool of income and education

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Helping hands - How Afghan girls are instrumental in providing education

Organisations such as LEARN have been helping girls get an underground education by providing online classes such as science and web design lessons. Through their help and kindness, the power to offer opportunities to others is then passed on into our hands

17 year-old Zohra on the inspiring goal of helping young people follow their dreams

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Motivation is helping me face daily obstacles and it can help you too

Girls like me need all the motivation they can get to stay focused and overcome hardship. I’m 16 and I’m unable to get a proper education in my home country of Afghanistan. But I will not let those limitations determine my future

16 year-old Swita on finding daily inspiration and self-help

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Afghan teenager opens kindergarten to help children “fly off into the horizons of tomorrow”

Shanhaza, at the age of 15, opened her own kindergarten ‘Fly’ to provide free care for infants to equip younger generations with education and opportunity.

17 year-old Shanhaza on her dreams and goals in providing education

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Flowers for the Future enables Afghan students to “bloom”

Amidst challenges posed by the Taliban’s restrictions, the support from individuals around the world and organisations like FFF are “a source of inspiration”

16 year-old Sofiya Suleimanova interviews the student-run organisation that supports the ‘rights of students across the world to education’

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From nature trips to shop opening: how Afghan girls spent summer holidays

Afghanistan does not only mean crises and restrictions. It is a country filled with mesmerising landmarks, historical monuments, nature and a vibrant culture

Five students of the OXSFJ LEARN Afghan project share their summer experiences

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Days that marked Afghan girls’ lives

There are days in everyone’s lives that they mark the most regardless of being good or bad. Five students of the journalism learning project at Harbingers’ Magazine – Shanhaza (17), Swita (16), Zainab (13), Naziya (13) and Zohra (17) – interviewed each other to find out about the days that impacted them the most

13-17 year-old OXSFJ and LEARN Afghan students share their life experiences

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Meet five Afghan girls who dream big for their future

After the Taliban seized power in August 2021, they banned girls from receiving a high school education. Despite these hardships, they are still determined to achieve their goals

13-17 year-old students of the OXSFJ & LEARN Afghan Project share their aspirations