WEDUT. Women Education and Training

The right to study

When, in August 2021, the Taliban returned to power, NOVE was forced to suspend most of its activities dedicated to women’s education. In just a few months, projects that had been launched and consolidated over the years were abruptly interrupted: girls could no longer go to school, play sports, meet their friends, or graduate. The risk was seeing years of achievements vanish in an instant.
Yet, thanks to long negotiations with local authorities, we managed to preserve at least part of our commitment: the WEDUT – Women Education and Training project continues to offer opportunities for study and personal growth for women and girls, even in such a difficult context.

Before the restrictions: the projects we had to stop

Literacy courses
Since 2018, NOVE had been running free reading and writing courses for adult women. An important milestone in a country where about 70% of women over 15 are illiterate. These courses continued uninterrupted until December 2022, when the Taliban regime also banned female literacy.

Preparation for university studies
Until December 2022, NOVE funded preparatory courses for entrance exams to state universities. For many young women, it was the only real chance to build a different future. These courses, too, were suspended after the ban.

Informal education for high school girls
With schools closed to girls, we organized safe spaces where they could meet, continue studying and, above all, not feel alone. The restrictions imposed—no sports, no walks, no socializing—had a very strong impact on their psychological well-being: many suffered from depression and loss of motivation.

What continues today: English and TOEFL preparation courses

Despite the bans, we have managed to keep alive a key part of the project: English and TOEFL preparation courses. Thanks to cooperation with local training centers, 330 women selected for merit and motivation are attending differentiated programs:

• Beginner → Intermediate: 100 students start from the basic level (3 months) and move on to the intermediate level (4 months).

• Intermediate → Advanced: 40 students begin directly from the intermediate level (4 months) and progress to the highest level (3 months).

The impact goes beyond the direct beneficiaries: these activities reach almost 1,900 people among families and communities, creating a multiplier effect of knowledge and awareness.

The project is funded by the 8×1000 Battista and the Trust Nel Nome della Donna, and represents a model of educational resilience and female empowerment in one of the most difficult contexts in the world.