Most Afghan Women Lack Access to Digital Freedom

 

Since the Taliban came to power in 2021, women have lost many freedoms. Secondary education was one of the first to go, and late last year, the Taliban banned women from attending university.

Many universities and education institutes have developed online courses and offered scholarships to Afghan women who wish to continue their education. Since the university ban was implemented, thousands of new students have applied for distance learning programs from the U.S.-based University of the People and U.K.-based Future Learn.

In Gallup's 2022 World Poll, 15% of Afghans said they had access to the internet. This figure has remained stable since 2016.

Afghans are unable to access the internet due to a lack of reliable electricity and IT infrastructure. Despite a low of 2% in 2021, Afghan men are reported to have access by 25% by 2022, compared with 6% for women. These figures have remained relatively stable in recent years despite a low of 2% in 2021.

'Digital freedom is not for Afghan women': Women's Day and the harsh reality

By aggregating Gallup World Polls since 2019, it is possible to examine where Afghan women have the greatest access to social media - 9% versus 2%.

Among women in the country's western provinces, 11% have internet access, while only 6% do so elsewhere. The country's second-largest city, Herat, is home to 15% of Afghan women, but Kabul, its capital and largest city, has only 3% of Afghan women with internet access.

Bottom line

Due to infrastructure deficiencies and widespread poverty, only a small segment of the Afghan population had access to the internet before the Taliban retook control in 2021.

As the Taliban took control in 2021, access to the Internet was further restricted, as the regime regularly cut off connectivity in Kabul and other areas to suppress opposition. It also blocked millions of websites for "immoral" content.

As a result of their own dependence on the internet, Taliban officials have recently stated that they plan to upgrade the country's internet network to 4G. By improving the country's internet infrastructure, e-learning platforms may be able to reach more Afghan households -- giving hope to young women and girls. However, Afghans' internet use will continue to be restricted to serve the regime's agenda as long as the regime persists.