Connecting Afghan women to the World
One woman. One hundred dollars. One year.
Since the Taliban returned to power, Afghan women have been systematically removed from public life. Schools, universities, most workplaces — closed to them. In January 2026, a new law made domestic violence legal. Internet access, already limited, has been further restricted as part of Taliban "morality" policies.
For many women, getting online is no longer simply a matter of convenience. It is an act of survival.
Azada — the Dari word for free and independent — is a Scheherazade Foundation project that funds internet connectivity for women inside Afghanistan. We identify women through a trusted network, provide the means to get and stay online, and connect them to work, education, and support.
The cost is $100 per woman per year.
That pays for a SIM and mobile data — enough to earn an income, take a course, consult a doctor, join a support group, and stay connected to people who care about them. It is one of the most direct and cost-effective interventions available to women in Afghanistan today.
We operate through small, self-contained groups. Women are brought into the programme through a vouching network built on trust — each person known to someone already inside. Identities are never shared publicly. Security is built into every layer of what we do.
This is deliberate. The women we work with are living under one of the most restrictive regimes on earth. Our first responsibility is to protect them. Our second is to connect them.
We asked the women in the programme what it means to know that people outside Afghanistan are thinking of them.
"Knowing that people outside Afghanistan still think of us and consider us important means more than I can fully express. It reminds me that we have not been abandoned."
"Even when I simply see kindness and attention from them, it creates a deep feeling of happiness inside me, and sometimes tears gather in my eyes. This feeling gives me hope and a great sense of encouragement."
"It truly matters. Sometimes just knowing that somewhere in the world someone is thinking of you and has not forgotten you can save a person from sinking into despair. That feeling of being seen, even from afar, gives tremendous strength to keep going."
These artworks were made by women inside Afghanistan, working together through an online art therapy programme. Many of them had never held a paintbrush before and these are very much expressions of their inner worlds. They are among the women Azada connects.
$100 connects one woman for a year. $500 connects five. $1,000 connects ten.
We are raising funds through Crowdfunder, where you can make a one-off or monthly donation. Monthly giving makes a particular difference — it means we can plan ahead, reach more women, and build something lasting.
If you'd like to discuss supporting Azada Women at a higher level, please get in touch directly.