For Zahra Hussaini, the Taliban’s ban on women attending universities in Afghanistan meant the end of her goal of becoming a doctor. She is currently pursuing her medical education in Britain.
“Everything changed after I moved to Scotland. In Glasgow, where she moved last month to continue her education, the 20-year-old told AFP, “It has given me hope for a better future.”
“I can become a doctor, I can become independent financially and I can serve my family, my community to the best of my ability,” she stated.
Hussaini is one of 19 Afghani women medical students who, after a three-year campaign by the Linda Norgrove Foundation, arrived in Scotland on August 21.
The 36-year-old Scottish relief worker, Norgrove, was slain in 2010 following an unsuccessful attempt by US special operations to free him from the clutches of Islamist extremists in Afghanistan.
The students had frequently been restricted to their homes since the Taliban’s ban on women attending universities in December 2022, according to the organization that her parents established in her honor.
When the US forces left Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban took control of the country and imposed a strict interpretation of Islamic law.
The majority of the limitations that the UN has called “gender apartheid” have affected women.
Glasgow University student Fariba Asifi, a 25-year-old medical student, said, “They didn’t allow me to get my specialization in Afghanistan.”
“I now believe that I am the luckiest person alive because I can pursue my dreams and further my education thanks to this opportunity.” I’m incredibly glad and thrilled right now.”The woman came to Scotland after the funding laws were changed by the devolved Scottish government in Edinburgh, guaranteeing that she would get free tuition and be treated like a student in Scotland.
A few are enrolled in courses in Aberdeen, Dundee, and St Andrews.
Before the ladies could go to Scotland, the organization stated, it had to overcome several obstacles. These included arranging for the women to take English language classes and university interviews via Skype, as well as arranging for travel to Pakistan to apply for UK visas.
Along with securing housing and UK bank accounts, it reported spending a total of o60,000 ($79,000).
“At last, these 19 extraordinarily gifted young ladies regain their future by being given the chance to pursue a fantastic education and a profession. According to a statement from Linda’s father John Norgove, “the alternative for them in Afghanistan wasn’t good.”
Asifi expressed her wish that one day she would be able to practice medicine in Afghanistan.
“This is a transient state that will eventually change, and Afghanistan will be a peaceful and prosperous nation.”
And one day, I’m quite certain, we’ll see that all girls and women are capable of doing, going to school, finding employment, and having fun. And we ought to have hope that Afghanistan will prosper. It’s almost here.”
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