Education is the process of teaching and learning, and it is one of the most important parts of anyone’s life. But in Afghanistan, societal norms and cultural barriers have prevented girls from accessing quality education.

Currently, girls above the sixth grade are unable to access education under the Taliban regime. But this is nothing new – in the past, women and girls have been marginalised and denied the right to proper education.

Despite the challenges they face, Afghan girls have shown remarkable resilience and determination in pursuing their education. Defying all odds and proving themselves capable of achieving academic excellence time after time, they show unwavering determination and courage in their quest of knowledge.

For me, one of the most inspiring aspects girls have shown in pursuit of education is the passion they have for learning. It is key to their desire to break free from the cycle of poverty and oppression.

Many Afghan girls recognise the transformative power of education and see it as a pathway to a brighter future, not just for themselves, but for their families and communities as well.

The stories I hear of Afghan girls who fight against all odds is a true testament to their incredible strength. They accept some restrictions imposed on them, such as being chaperoned by male family members to work, in order to pursue their career ambitions.

A report by The United Nations Development Fund (UNDP) found that female-led households receive less income and food due to the Taliban’s restrictions on single and unaccompanied women.

Before the new government took control, I was in grade eight at school and studying English at an advanced level. This came to an end following the restrictions, depriving me of any opportunity to study at all.

Despite this obstacle, I wondered what I could do to help other girls and decided to use my knowledge for good. I saw girls all around me were very eager to learn, to be educated. I wanted to help them stand on their own two feet and volunteered to help young girls learn in the face of harsh restrictions and injustice.

I joined a number of organisations to teach English to girls in the seventh grade. Now, it makes me so happy to see students speaking, reading and writing English at a very high level. Their unmatched determination motivates me every day, as someone who wants to study at higher education, to believe nothing in this world is impossible.

I am far from the only one – others are making a difference by sharing the knowledge they have and the gift of education with Afghan girls.

For example, there is 18 year-old Hakima. She completed grade ten at school and studied English to an advanced level, and is working hard for a scholarship so she can continue her education at university.

Currently, she is working on her computer skills and spends time volunteering, helping several girls in her village study English. She said: “Education is the right of everybody. Afghan girls are the strongest girls who never stop learning and hoping for a bright future.”

Our perseverance shows that Afghan girls are more than capable. Nothing will stop us.