Nearly 80 Afghan women, studying in Oman under U.S.-funded scholarships, were on the verge of being sent back to Afghanistan due to cuts in foreign aid, particularly from USAID.
These scholarships were crucial for the women, many of whom fled Afghanistan after the Taliban imposed severe restrictions on women’s education and rights following their return to power.
The women were pursuing graduate and postgraduate degrees under the Women’s Scholarship Endowment (WSE), a USAID program that supports women in fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. However, in late February, they were informed their scholarships would be terminated by mid-March, forcing them to consider returning to a country where education for women is banned and their safety is at risk.
This situation highlights the broader consequences of U.S. foreign aid cuts, which have left vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, in dire straits worldwide. While the U.S. State Department has promised continued funding until June 2025, many students remain deeply concerned about their future prospects.
In addition to these funding cuts impacting Afghan women, similar shortages are being felt by Sudanese refugees in Chad, where tens of thousands, especially women and children, are struggling with basic survival needs.
The dramatic effects of the reduction in USAID funding serve as a stark reminder of the importance of foreign aid in supporting global education and humanitarian efforts, especially for vulnerable women and children facing severe restrictions in their home countries.
Womensagenda