On this International Day of the Girl Child, let us reaffirm that education is not a privilege, it is a birthright.
Education is not just about knowledge, it is the foundation of dignity, empowerment, and equality. When a girl is educated, she can chart her own course; when she is silenced, entire communities lose their future.
The Barriers That Keep Girls From School
Despite global efforts, 119 million girls worldwide remain out of school. Many face the harsh intersection of poverty, conflict, cultural restrictions, and gender bias.
In Afghanistan, the crisis is severe. Nearly 2.2 million girls are now barred from attending school beyond primary levels. Over the years, the gains toward gender parity in education have been reversed, pushing a generation into uncertainty.
Even so, the people of Afghanistan overwhelmingly reject these restrictions: a recent survey found that 92% of Afghans believe girls’ education is essential and oppose the current bans.
My Project: Savad Amozi — Reopening Doors for Denied Learners
In response to the ongoing barriers faced by Afghan women in accessing education, I founded Savad Amozi, an initiative dedicated to providing basic education for women who have been denied schooling due to conflict, cultural restrictions, or policy limitations.
The name Savad Amozi, meaning “learning literacy,” reflects our mission, to reopen doors that were unjustly closed and help women rediscover the transformative power of education.
At its heart, Savad Amozi believes that educating one woman can uplift an entire community.
Through small, community-based learning circles and accessible digital materials, women participating in Savad Amozi develop literacy, numeracy, and essential life skills. But beyond lessons, they gain something even greater: a renewed sense of self-worth and possibility. A woman who learns to read, write, and calculate gains not only knowledge, she gains agency, confidence, and independence.
At its heart, Savad Amozi believes that educating one woman can uplift an entire community. When a woman learns, her family grows stronger, her children’s futures brighten, and her community becomes more resilient.
For collaborations, partnerships, or inquiries related to Savad Amozi, please contact me at zalandhoma@gmail.com
The Promise in Her Hands
Girls are not asking for charity, they are demanding their rights. On this International Day of the Girl Child, let us reaffirm that education is not a privilege, it is a birthright.
When we educate girls, we ignite change not just in individuals, but in entire societies. Progress begins with one pen stroke, one read word, one girl stepping into a classroom.
Let us stand beside every girl who dreams of a book, a pen, a future of her own making. Because when girls learn, nations rise.
About the Author
Homa Zaland is a 17-year-old Youth Committee member in the 2025 HundrED Youth Ambassador second cohort, from Afghanistan. She is passionate about education and empowering Afghan girls through learning opportunities. Homa is inspired by those who were denied education but never gave up on their dreams of learning. She founded Savad Amozi to help girls continue their studies despite restrictions. She hopes to study public health in the future and use her knowledge to help her people live healthier and better lives. She also loves playing soccer and reading novels.
