Afghan women run secret underground classes disguised as sewing sessions

Afghan women are operating clandestine education networks in basements and storefronts to defy the Taliban restriction on female schooling. CS Monitor reported that students conceal their schoolbooks inside sewing bags while taking underground courses in subjects such as English, mathematics, and nursing. [1][3]

The secret classes take place behind front operations that claim to teach sewing. CS Monitor reported that students remain on alert for unexpected visitors while studying in backrooms to avoid detection by authorities. [1]

It has been five years since the Taliban returned to power and prohibited girls from attending school beyond the sixth grade. CS Monitor reported that Afghanistan remains the only nation in the world where female students are legally forbidden from pursuing education past primary school. [1]