US Funding Cuts Threaten Afghan Women's Studies

An American university in Afghanistan has lost its primary source of funding, a decision that threatens the only remaining avenue for women in the country to earn a college degree. The United States has ceased providing money to the American University of Afghanistan, effectively closing off a critical educational opportunity. This development has caused significant distress among students who rely on the institution to further their studies in an environment where such access is severely limited.

The student, known as Laila for safety reasons, received an email confirming the news. She is a political science student in her mid-twenties who is enrolled in the online program. She is not alone in her situation; the university has approximately 1,000 students, and roughly three-quarters of them are women. The campus itself is currently controlled by Taliban forces, forcing students to participate in classes remotely from their homes. The environment is fraught with tension, as students use aliases and keep their cameras turned off during lectures. "I just know their voices," she stated, describing her interaction with classmates.

Laila's journey to this point has been fraught with obstacles. She was attending a university in Kabul in August 2021 with only two final exams remaining when the Taliban regained control of the country. Her degree remained incomplete after the Taliban announced in December 2022 that women were banned from higher education. Subsequently, she secured a scholarship to the American University of Afghanistan, allowing her to resume her studies. "Not every girl got that opportunity," she said. Her daily life is marked by fear, and she is concerned that authorities might discover university emails on her phone. Officials have entered her home several times to search belongings, and she worries about potential retaliation. "It's always in the back of my head that maybe tomorrow it's my turn," she added.

The institution was established in 2006 with significant backing from the United States. Former first lady Laura Bush announced the funding, stating it would train "future leaders," with a particular emphasis on women. Patrick Fine, who served as the Afghanistan mission director at USAID, noted that while some viewed the venture as a waste of money, the administration saw it as a way to support a young democracy.

However, the allocation of American funds to the university has faced criticism over the years. In 2016, US inspectors launched an inquiry into the university's financial practices. By 2018, investigators concluded that poor accounting practices made it impossible to determine how aid money was spent. John Sopko, a former federal inspector involved in the investigation, expressed his surprise regarding the continued funding. The State Department recently told DW the decision reflected the university's "history of repeated lack of accountability for millions of American taxpayer dollars." Fine rejected that explanation as "smear tactics." He acknowledged that earlier audits found the university struggling with USAID's extensive rules, but said they "didn't find major fraud." He called the university "a worthy investment" because it is one of the few organizations still reaching Afghan women.

Although other donors exist, the United States has historically provided the vast majority of financial support. A report from 2018 indicated that American funding accounted for nearly 90% of the budget. The State Department has indicated that the university is "free to identify other funders and partners," meaning the withdrawal of US taxpayer money does not automatically signal the end of operations. Nevertheless, without the $25 million grant that was refused, the future of the university remains uncertain.

For Laila, the news has been crushing. "I have lost all my motivation and hope," she said, adding that each time she prepares for a lecture she wonders whether another will follow. She has barely left her room since learning of the cut. She had expected to have graduated years ago and to be studying for a master's degree abroad. Now she thinks she may find a way in five or ten years.