Amid War in Iran, the World's Rarest Big Cat Is Running Out of Time

By Kaitlin Murray 

In the face of conflict, road accidents, and other threats, scientists are working to pull the Asiatic cheetah back from the brink of extinction.

Asiatic cheetah. Erfan Kouchari. CC BY 4.0. 

In February 2026, nine days before the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran, rangers filmed a female cheetah with five cubs in the North Khorasan province, the largest litter ever recorded for the subspecies. This comes at a time when fewer than 30 Asiatic cheetahs are believed to be left in the wild. While the subspecies once roamed vast distances spanning the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, and Central Asia, today they are only spotted in the rugged deserts of Iran. Given the uncertainty of the ongoing war and the Asiatic cheetah’s classification as critically endangered, it is more important than ever to ensure their future is protected. 

While a cousin of the African cheetah, the subspecies is visibly different, with smaller heads, shorter legs, thicker coats, and a more powerful neck. It is believed they diverged from the African cheetah between 32,000 and 67,000 years ago, adapting to the different terrain of the Asian continent over time. The Asiatic cheetah was known throughout history, with the Mughal emperors keeping them for hunting and Emperor Akbar reportedly keeping over 1,000 during his lifetime. 

Throughout the 20th century, the cheetah began disappearing. By the 1940s, it had gone extinct in 13 countries, including Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Iraq, and India. Pakistan’s final sighting was in 1997. What remains of the species now roam the desert regions of Yazd, Semnan, Kerman and Isfahan in Iran, which is only 16% of its original territory. While the country granted the species protected status in 1959, the Islamic Revolution and the Iran-Iraq War halted conservation efforts for decades. Today, the global population stands at 27 individuals that have been ID-carded, plus five in breeding sites and six more in captivity.

Asiatic cheetah lives in rugged terrain. Mousa Mazinanian. CC BY 4.0. 

Current Threats to Conservation

Long before the first bombs were dropped in February 2026, the Asiatic cheetah was already fighting for its survival. The number in 2026 had recovered from only 20 individuals recorded in August 2025 and from 12 at its lowest point in 2022. Every new cub recorded is a victory, given the numerous threats they face, including poaching, human-wildlife conflict, habitat fragmentation, low genetic diversity, and road accidents, all of which threaten their livelihoods.

Of all these obstacles, road accidents are the deadliest. The story of beloved Helia, the female with the cubs who made history in January 2026, illustrates the danger of road accidents. In 2024, she was spotted with two cubs in the Miandasht Wildlife Refuge after traveling more than 130 kilometers from the Turan reserve. Tragically, one of her cubs was struck and killed by a vehicle on the “Death Road” that cuts through the Semnan province. For a week after her cub's death, she stayed near the road, with volunteers on guard to block traffic in case they tried to cross again. 

The ongoing war adds another layer to an already volatile crisis. While the cheetah was given a protected status and national parks were established, the Islamic Revolution in 1979 and the subsequent Iran-Iraq War set back conservation work by decades. Recently, conservationists have been the target of questioning and even arrests by the Iranian government. 

One of the most notable organizations focused on protecting the cheetah is the Persian Wildlife Heritage Foundation, which had previous partnerships with the UN and international NGOs. The Tehran-based group used camera traps to monitor wildlife, including the Persian leopard, the Asiatic cheetah and the Asiatic black bear. Camera traps monitor wildlife without human presence and are widely used around the globe. However, in Iran, the usage was enough for nine members of the organization to be arrested for espionage in 2018. 

One member, Kavous Seyed-Emami, an Iranian-Canadian scientist and the foundation’s founder, died after two weeks in Evin Prison under “suspicious circumstances.” Though his death was ruled a suicide, his family tried to launch an investigation. Thankfully, the other seven members were freed in April 2024, more than six years after their arrest. This sent a chill throughout the international conservation community, as foreign investments and international organizations were hesitant to work in Iran again. 

While camera traps are a great start for tracking cheetah movements, experts have cited that GPS collars could be an important tool in the future. They have been used before to study Persian leopards and, according to recently published research, could “provide essential insights into habitat use, movements and survival, enabling more effective conservation strategies.”

For Iranians, the cheetah is more than just an endangered animal; it is a source of national pride and cultural identity. When Iran’s national football team took to the pitch at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the cheetah was printed on their kit. Meraj Airlines painted the animal across their planes. 

Looking Toward the Future

Amid the ongoing war, sanctions from Western nations and sporadic internet shutdowns, conservationists in Iran are concerned about the fate of the species. When will the conflict end? What is the current state of the cheetahs in inaccessible regions? How will new funding be accessed? These are all questions that conservationists and scientists around the world continue to ask themselves in the face of such an uncertain future. 

Jamshid Parchizadeh, a research scientist, when asked by Mongabay about the future of the war, stated, “Before the war, cheetah conservation received limited funding from the government. But after the war, I doubt that the government has any money left for the conservation of the cheetah.” 

GET INVOLVED: 

Getting involved in protecting the cheetah in Iran can be complicated, especially with the ongoing conflict. The Cheetah Conservation Fund has permits to work in Iran that allow for close partnerships with groups on the ground. Visit their site to learn more about how you can help their cause to protect cheetahs around the world. 

Other ways to get involved include learning about the Asiatic cheetah and raising awareness. You can help by sharing the cheetah's story online and spreading awareness of its protection. For updates and news on the status of the cheetah, visit Mongabay, an independent news platform focused on global and environmental challenges. The Felidae Fund also provides information and steps to raise awareness through social media platforms and community work.

Kaitlin Murray

Kaitlin Siena Murray is a travel journalist and global storyteller documenting cultures, historical places, and the people and social impact movements helping the world. Raised worldschooling across more than 129 countries with degrees in anthropology and history, her writing is driven by a commitment to global citizenship, capturing the diversity and beauty of the world through the lens of culture, history, and social change.

Albanian Backlash Threatens Trump-Linked Luxury Resort

By Jeremy Gordon

Jared Kushner’s luxury development project sparks massive backlash from citizens and environmentalists.

Dalmatian pelican in Albania. Kostiantyn Klymovets. Pexels.

The first week of June saw tensions flare in Albania over the construction of a new luxury resort in one of the country’s most biodiverse regions. The project, backed by Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, is set to wreak havoc on the local environment and spark affordability issues for locals. Protests have spread from the barbed-wire barricades surrounding the site to the capital of Tirana, where thousands have taken to the streets carrying flamingo-shaped signs and chanting their discontent. 

The region in question is Vjosa-Narta. It is where the Vjosa River, which arises in the Pindus Mountains of northwestern Greece and stretches over 270 kilometers, empties into the Adriatic Sea. The wetland surrounding this Adriatic delta is one of the most ecologically vital habitats in Europe, home to over 200 bird species, including flamingos and Dalmatian pelicans, and over 70 endangered species, including the Mediterranean monk seal and loggerhead sea turtle. It is part of the Adriatic Flyway, a major migration corridor for millions of birds that fly between Africa and Europe each year.

The $1.2 billion development project threatens to ravage the natural habitat, destroy ancient dunes protected under Albanian law and cut off tidal exchange between the Narta Lagoon and the Adriatic, plunging the marine food chain into chaos. Concrete and barbed-wire barriers have been erected, blocking locals from entering parts of the lagoon and beach. Over 40 environmental groups called for cessation of the project in January, though those calls were ignored by the Albanian government, which has amended its laws and permitting processes to pave the way for the project. Critics have decried the lack of transparency and potential corruption surrounding the decision. Prime Minister Edi Rama has stood firm in support of the project, warning against appearing hostile to foreign investment.

The project is the brainchild of Jared Kushner through his investment firm Affinity Partners. The plans call for the wetland to be transformed into a sprawling, sparkling seaside plot of hotels, villas and high-end apartments. It is part of a larger push to transform Albania into an elite tourist destination. Tourism is the major driver of the Albanian economy, accounting for roughly 20% to 25% of the GDP. It has been the surest route to Westernization since the fall of the communist government in 1992.

At the heart of Kushner’s development project is Sazan Island, a place with a long military history. It was known to the ancient Greeks and the Romans, and it later became an important naval outpost for the Ottoman Empire. When Albania gained independence in 1912, the island’s ownership fell into dispute. It was occupied by the Italians in 1914 and became a fortified military base under Benito Mussolini.

After World War II, the island reverted to Albanian ownership and became a secret military site for Enver Hoxha, the repressive communist prime minister from 1944 to 1954. Underneath its lush pine forests sprouted a vast network of underground tunnels and bunkers, including a cinema, school and hospital. Even after the fall of communism, the island retained military relevance, becoming a joint Italian-Albanian base.

In the 2010s, as Albania was being granted EU candidate status and making itself more attractive to foreign investment, the island’s surrounding sea was designated a national marine park. It became a tranquil spot for citizens to bask and enjoy the local wildlife. And in 2024, the island came to the attention of Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump. In an interview with podcaster David Senra earlier this June, Ivanka claimed that the couple was “on a friend’s boat” and “stopped for a swim” when they found the island and became captivated by it. That set in motion the chain of events that led to the skirting of environmental protection laws, the detrimental construction project and the subsequent fiery protests. 

The protests have borne some fruit. Albania’s anti-corruption prosecutor SPAK (Special Structure against Corruption and Organized Crime) has opened an investigation into the shadowy legal maneuvering that initiated the project. The European Commission has warned Albania that the project could be detrimental to its EU membership, conflicting with the larger body’s environmental rules. A spokesperson for Sofjan Jaupaj, Albania’s environmental minister, has downplayed progress of the development, claiming that “no final project proposal has been submitted and construction activities have not commenced as no construction permit has been approved.”

Sazan Island and its surrounding region now enter a new, uncertain era. It has been an ancient naval outpost, a communist military base, a coastal getaway and may now become a glitzy tourist attraction backed by billions in foreign investment. The transformation is emblematic of Albania’s larger race to shed its past and join the West. And it features all of the pitfalls that go along with that.

Jeremy Gordon

Jeremy is a graduate student at Johns Hopkins University studying Creative Writing. He graduated from the University of Maryland with a bachelor's in Criminology and Criminal Justice and worked for four years as an Investigative Specialist with the Public Defender Service for DC. 

As the World Cup Nears, Reboot FIFA Challenges Football’s Governing Body

By Sehr Khosla

President Donald Trump and FIFA President Gianni Infantino announce Kennedy Center as FIFA World Cup 2025 draw location. The White House. CC0.

One week before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, advocacy organization FairSquare launched Reboot FIFA, a public campaign urging supporters to join what it hopes will become the largest ethics complaint ever filed against the association. The complaint accuses FIFA President Gianni Infantino of repeatedly violating the organization’s political neutrality rules through his public support for U.S. President Donald Trump and argues that the allegations reflect deeper governance problems within football’s governing body.

Launched early this June, Reboot FIFA invites members of the public to add their names to an updated ethics complaint originally submitted by FairSquare in December 2025.

FairSquare argues that Infantino’s appearances alongside Trump, including his involvement with the FIFA Peace Prize awarded to the president and subsequent cooperation with Trump’s Board of Peace initiative, violated FIFA’s requirement that officials remain politically neutral. FIFA has not publicly accepted that characterization and maintains that its governance reforms have strengthened accountability and oversight.

With global attention turning toward the World Cup, the campaign highlights that the tournament provides a rare opportunity to pressure FIFA over issues of accountability and transparency.

For many supporters, the controversy recalls FIFA’s 2015 corruption scandal, when U.S. prosecutors charged dozens of football officials in a sweeping investigation into bribery, racketeering and money laundering. The scandal forced the departure of longtime FIFA President Sepp Blatter and prompted promises of far-reaching institutional reform.

Under Infantino, FIFA has repeatedly pointed to increased transparency measures, independent audits and billions of dollars invested in football development worldwide. Following “deep-rooted governance and management reforms,” as a FIFA spokesperson told The Guardian, the organization insists that it is now more accountable than ever.

For FairSquare, however, the persistence of controversy suggests otherwise. The NGO argues that FIFA’s problems are structural rather than personal.

“FairSquare has long argued that FIFA’s structural problems cannot be fixed from within and that external reform is critical,” the organization wrote in launching the campaign.

More significant to fans than the complaint itself is what it reveals about FIFA’s governance model, with FairSquare arguing that the organization simultaneously acts as football’s regulator and commercial powerhouse, creating conflicts of interest. Among the reforms proposed by the campaign are stronger auditing of FIFA’s finances, greater transparency in decision-making, and a clearer separation between its commercial operations and governance functions.

The campaign has also received support from the Norwegian Football Federation, whose president, Lise Klaveness, has called for the complaint to be properly assessed by FIFA’s ethics committee. This backing matters for fans because it suggests that concerns about governance are not limited to activists and watchdog groups but are increasingly being voiced by member associations themselves.

Whether Reboot FIFA succeeds in forcing change remains uncertain, especially considering that previous reform efforts have often struggled against an institution whose leadership is ultimately accountable to the same internal structures that elect it. Nonetheless, the campaign’s significance lies less in the fate of a single ethics complaint than in the question it raises. Years after FIFA’s most serious corruption crisis, football's governing body continues to face accusations of weak accountability and conflicts of interest. If FIFA wishes to claim it represents the global game, critics argue, it must do more than organize tournaments. Now, it must convince players, supporters and member associations that it is answerable to them as well.

Readers can learn more about the Reboot FIFA campaign and add their names to the ethics complaint through FairSquare's campaign website: https://rebootfifa.com/sign/

Sehr Khosla

Sehr is a student at Georgetown University studying Classics and Government with a minor in Journalism. In the future, she hopes to combine her passion for social justice with communications to advocate for change. Outside of writing, she enjoys travelling and reading murder mysteries.

How Conflict in Sudan Is Impacting Women and Girls

By Cove Johnson Rabidoux

Gender violence and limited access to healthcare have left Sudanese women increasingly vulnerable as war continues.

 Sudanese women and children. Albert Gonzalez Farran. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Civil war in Sudan started in April 2023 following the collapse of negotiations between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Since then, the country has been decimated by violence, widespread famine and a crumbling healthcare system, all of which make it nearly impossible for humanitarian support organizations to provide aid. 

According to the United Nations, the situation in Sudan is the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with more than 33 million people in need of support. Women and girls have been disproportionately affected, facing alarming rates of food insecurity and displacement. 

Millions of women have had to relocate to refugee and displacement camps, where they face shortages of food, clean water and medical supplies. At these camps, they experience the additional risk of gender-based violence, both by fellow civilians and members of the SAF and RSF themselves. 

The United Nations described rape, sexual slavery and violence as common war tactics used throughout the country. They report that sexual violence has not only been used to exert control over communities but to instill fear and deepen the psychological trauma of survivors and their families. One woman told Human Rights Watch, “Every time I try to sleep, I see how my parents and husband were killed, and I remember all the things they did to me. It is torturing me.”

Her experience is far from unique. Survivors of sexual violence, especially that which is war-related, often experience long-term trauma, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and sleep disturbances. Many also face social stigma within their communities, which can lead to further isolation. In Sudan, these challenges are compounded by the deterioration of the healthcare system and limited humanitarian access. With little international aid, survivors are left without medical care, counseling or legal assistance.

Additionally, without reliable healthcare, pregnant women and new mothers are unable to receive adequate maternal support. This often increases the likelihood of preventable complications for both mothers and infants.

Yet despite these conditions, Sudanese women are committed to protecting their communities. Across the country and within displacement camps, women-led groups have helped distribute food, protect children from violence and provide midwifery and other medical assistance. 

But as fighting persists across the country, humanitarian groups argue that greater international attention is crucial in addressing the crisis. Sudan has received comparatively limited international coverage compared to other global conflicts. Experts suggest this is partially because more “geopolitically influential countries” are often prioritized in media coverage, leaving other large-scale humanitarian crises underreported. 

In the case of Sudan, Tom Perriello, former U.S. special envoy to Sudan, said, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen as big of a disconnect between the scale of a crisis and the scale of media coverage in my life, and that is both because the scale of the suffering in Sudan is so high and because the [media] coverage is abominably low.”

The statement reflects ongoing concerns about the visibility of the crisis and its impact on its civilians. For many Sudanese women and girls, support remains uncertain as they continue to navigate the world’s worst humanitarian emergency.

GET INVOLVED:

Sign Amnesty International’s petition to demand an arms embargo in Sudan. Spread the word about the atrocities facing women in Sudan today. Support female protection and aid by donating to UN Women. For updates and additional information, follow UNICEF and ReliefWeb.

Cove Johnson Rabidoux

Cove is an English student at the University of California, Los Angeles. Her writing can be found in the Daily Bruin, The Teen Magazine, Piece of Cake Magazine, and other publications. In her free time, she enjoys reading and traveling.

Why Nigeria’s Largest Floating Village Is Being Demolished

By Julia Sassaman

Thousands of residents of Makoko, Nigeria’s largest floating village, have been displaced after the Lagos State Government carried out demolitions as part of broader redevelopment efforts.

A young boy canoeing through the Makoko canals. Heinrich Boll Stiftung. CC BY-SA 2.0.

Sometimes called the “Dubai of Africa,” Lagos is a rapidly growing city on the Lagos Lagoon in southwest Nigeria, undergoing large-scale construction, tourism and housing development. As Nigeria’s largest city, Lagos is home to more than 14 million residents. Despite increasing investment in high-end developments and infrastructure on its islands, approximately 60% to 75% of residents live in informal settlements. These settlements typically consist of displaced or impoverished individuals who establish communities on state or private land without legal ownership, often lacking clean water, sanitation or basic urban services.

The city struggles to accommodate its growing population alongside high poverty rates and a shortage of affordable housing. Climate-related challenges, such as sea-level rise and coastal erosion, have also increased pressure on the Lagos State Government (LASG) to implement redevelopment projects. However, urban renewal efforts have drawn criticism from many Lagosians, who argue these developments often prioritize the wealthy over the broader population. Demolitions of informal settlement communities have further fueled controversy, prompting questions about the LASG’s redevelopment priorities. 

One of the most well-known informal settlements in Lagos is Makoko. Founded in the late 19th century by Egun fishing families, Makoko later became home to immigrants and residents priced out of other areas of the city. Located across land and water, the community’s economy centers on fishing and aquatic commerce. Homes, schools, businesses, churches and medical clinics rest on wooden stilted structures above the Lagos Lagoon, separated by canals and only navigable by canoe. Population estimates are approximate, ranging from 85,000 to over 1 million residents; Makoko lacks formal recognition from the LASG, making accurate census data difficult to obtain. Community members face challenges like inadequate sanitation, unreliable electricity, limited access to education and healthcare and overcrowding. 

In an interview with the BBC, Lagos real estate developer Peacemaker Afolabi states, "Everywhere in Lagos is prime land. And waterfront is always prime.” Demolitions of Makoko began in December 2025 and continued into 2026. The LASG has affirmed that the demolitions only targeted structures within a 100 to 250-meter radius of high-voltage power lines, which pose safety risks to residents, and that proper warning was provided beforehand.

Aerial view of Makoko waterfront settlements on the Lagos Lagoon. S.aderogba. CC BY-SA 4.0.

The demolitions were carried out by bulldozers and armed police, who used force and tear gas against protestors opposing the evictions. Thousands of homes, shops and community sites were destroyed. At least 40,000 people were displaced, sleeping on the demolition debris, under bridges or in canoes without personal belongings, safe shelter or the means to continue their livelihoods. As of May 2026, a resettlement plan to move displaced residents to Agbowa-Ikosi, a community built by refugees, has been proposed by the Lagos State Assembly, but the LASG and Makoko leadership have yet to reach a concrete agreement. 

The 2025-2026 demolitions are not isolated incidents. Makoko has experienced demolitions and displacement tied to private development projects dating back to 2005. Similarly, in 2012, residents only received three days' notice before thousands of homes were removed, again citing proximity to power lines. Since then, Makoko residents have proposed sustainable reconstruction plans that preserve the community’s cultural and historical ties to the waterfront, including the Makoko/Iwaya Regeneration Plan, which the LASG has not implemented.   

The city government maintains that the demolitions protect both the coastal environment and residents living near high-voltage power lines. However, residents believe that the bulldozing extended beyond the warned radius and that adequate warning was not given. The LASG also faces criticism for failing to recognize generational customary land rights and providing no financial support to displaced residents. 

The absence of community-based reconstruction plans and affordable housing options in Lagos has drawn skepticism from the UN, NGOs and Makoko residents. In a 2026 press release, experts from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights advised Lagos state authorities to suspend demolitions, provide the necessary assistance to displaced communities and involve Makoko residents in future developments. 

GET INVOLVED:

Follow organizations such as the International Network for Economic,

Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR-Net), which frequently posts articles, resources and events focused on global housing and human rights issues. ESCR-Net also released a solidarity letter demanding an end to forced evictions in Makoko, accountability for the resulting harms caused and stronger protections for residents’ rights. 

Donate or contribute expertise to JEI, a community-based legal advocacy organization providing paralegal services to Nigerian communities, including Makoko. Additionally, support their YouTube channel, Media4Change, a partnership with storytellers from Nigerian informal settlements that regularly posts video projects documenting the experiences and challenges facing these communities.

Follow, support or volunteer with Nigeria-based organizations empowering local communities, including Home of Mother Earth Foundation, Spaces for Change and the Nigerian Slum/Informal Settlement Federation. 

Explore the Slum Dwellers International website to learn more about human rights issues facing informal settlements globally, as well as their advocacy and support in expanding access to economic opportunities and essential services.

Julia Sassaman

Julia is a fourth-year student at the University of Michigan studying political science and international studies. She recently studied abroad in Geneva, Switzerland, researching post-conflict tourism and international human rights law. After graduation, she hopes to move to Europe to pursue a career centered on global human rights. In her free time, she enjoys painting, baking, journaling, and reading.

The Green Goal: Experience the 2026 World Cup Sustainably and Affordably

By Carson Jelinek

With 16 host cities across three countries, the 2026 World Cup will encourage fans to travel more efficiently by reducing their carbon footprint, choosing lower-impact transit and saving money.

Soccer stadium. David Bayliss. Unsplash.

The 2026 World Cup is coming in hot, and it’s bringing a whole lot more than just goals and glory: It’s turning North America into one long road trip, with 16 host cities spread across three countries.  The 11 host cities in the United States are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area and Seattle. In Mexico, the host cities are Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey. Canada’s host cities are Toronto and Vancouver. When the matches start rolling, the smartest way to move between them may not be to hop on another flight but to slow things down, stick to ground travel where possible and keep both your carbon footprint and budget a little lighter. Sometimes the best way to chase something big is to travel a little smarter, a little cleaner and a whole lot more intentionally.

Scenic view of Golden Gate Bridge. Helena Lopes. Pexels.

That greener route could look a lot of different ways, depending on the cities you choose and how much ground you want to cover. In some cases, it means taking a train or bus instead of booking another short-haul flight; in others, it means carpooling, sharing rides or simply staying longer in one place instead of bouncing from host city to host city. The difference isn’t small. Short-haul flights can emit more than 250 grams of carbon dioxide per passenger per kilometer, while rail travel can drop that number into the single digits. In some cases, choosing trains over planes can reduce emissions by up to 90%, making transportation one of the most important decisions fans will make when planning their World Cup journey.

Bus traveling along a scenic mountain. Santiago Quinonez Meza. Pexels.

Once fans arrive, the same mindset applies on the ground: walking when the stadium is close, using public transit when it’s not and leaning into travel plans that cut down on emissions without cutting down on the experience. As it turns out, the most sustainable choices are often the cheapest ones too, since fewer flights, less hotel switching and more local transit can keep costs down while making the trip feel more grounded and intentional.

Commuters inside a tram. Rishiraj Parmar. Pexels.

With the 2026 World Cup bringing people together across North America, the way fans travel becomes part of the experience. Choosing a train over a flight or spending an extra day in one city instead of hurrying to the next might seem minor, but when millions of people make these decisions, it affects the tournament’s environmental impact. In the end, following the World Cup is not only about the places you visit but also how you travel and the mark you leave behind.

Carson Jelinek

Carson is a 22 year old writer and filmmaker studying film and media productions at Arizona State University. His work explores travel, culture, and the people behind the places, with a focus on stories that encourage curiosity and global understanding.

Solar-Powered Resistance: How Afghan Women Are Coding in Secret

By Carson Jelinek

In rural Afghanistan, where electricity supply is often unreliable and economic opportunities are limited, significant change is underway through the adoption of solar energy.

Schoolchildren in Afghanistan. WikiImages. Pixabay.

Behind closed doors and beyond the reach of Taliban restrictions, women are logging on, learning to code and building digital careers in secret. Since the return of the Taliban in 2021, women across Afghanistan have faced sweeping restrictions on education and employment. Secondary schools and universities have largely been closed to them, cutting off traditional pathways to careers and independence. But in response, a new kind of resistance has emerged, one that relies on laptops, Wi-Fi signals and solar panels.

Solar panels outside. Nisar Ahmed Jamali. Pexels.

In many rural regions of Afghanistan, the central power grid is frequently unreliable or entirely absent. This limitation has, in some cases, become advantageous. With nearly 300 sunny days in the country each year, solar energy offers a reliable and low-maintenance power source. Residents increasingly utilize compact, discreet solar systems to operate internet routers and charge electronic devices. As a result, women are able to access online learning platforms from home without drawing attention.

Women in blue burqas. Faruk Tokluoglu. Pexels.

These solar-powered hubs enable women to enroll in confidential coding bootcamps and digital training programs. Murtaza Jafari, an Afghan refugee in Greece, launched one such initiative last year to support his community. As part of his company, Afghan Geeks, he provides dozens of Afghan women with technical instruction and assists them in obtaining remote internships and job opportunities. For many of his students, this work represents more than education; it serves as a vital support system. A 24-year-old student, Sodaba, described the program as her sole opportunity to pursue her aspirations. Such narratives are increasingly prevalent as more women utilize digital platforms to regain agency over their futures.

Afghan classroom. Mehdi Khoshnejad. Pexels.

This underground network of learners is part of what some are calling a “digital resistance.” Unable to gather publicly or attend formal institutions, Afghan women are developing decentralized education systems. Lessons are conducted in secrecy, often shared through encrypted messaging apps or coordinated schedules to avoid detection. What is an ordinary online class elsewhere becomes an act of defiance here.

Rural village in Afghan countryside. Burhan Azizi. Pexels.

In this context, technology is not just a tool but a means of empowerment. Coding, in particular, provides a distinct advantage. It is a skill that can be acquired remotely, practiced independently and monetized on a global scale. Freelance platforms and remote work opportunities enable women to earn income without leaving their homes, thereby circumventing many restrictions associated with physical workplaces. Multiple organizations support this movement by providing resources, funding and training. Initiatives such as the SheDreams Foundation and the Society of Women Coders Afghanistan aim to teach programming skills to thousands of Afghan women, often at no cost. Other organizations, including Sahar Education and the Digital Citizen Fund, emphasize broader digital literacy by offering STEAM education and offline-access tools for individuals with limited connectivity.

Grassroots initiatives also directly support home-based learning. Programs facilitated by platforms such as GlobalGiving provide equipment, internet access and secure learning environments for girls who otherwise lack educational opportunities. Additionally, advocacy organizations like Afghan Women Leaders Connect amplify these narratives and link global donors with women-led initiatives operating locally. Where opportunities are systematically diminished, Afghan women are developing innovative strategies to establish their own. Through coding, they are constructing careers, fostering communities and forging discreet avenues to autonomy, supported by solar energy and sustained by a strong commitment to education.

GET INVOLVED:

Code to Inspire is a nonprofit that teaches Afghan women coding, digital skills and entrepreneurship, helping them build careers and achieve financial independence through remote work opportunities.

Digital Citizen Fund expands access to technology, STEAM education and entrepreneurship training for women and girls, helping them gain digital literacy and financial independence.

Women for Afghan Women provides protection, legal support, education and advocacy for women and girls facing violence and inequality, working to promote long-term social and cultural change.

Free Press Unlimited supports journalists and media organizations around the world to ensure access to independent, reliable information, especially in regions with limited press freedom.

Access Now is a global nonprofit that defends digital rights, promotes online freedom of expression and works to ensure secure and open internet access for vulnerable communities.

Carson Jelinek

Carson is a 22 year old writer and filmmaker studying film and media productions at Arizona State University. His work explores travel, culture, and the people behind the places, with a focus on stories that encourage curiosity and global understanding.