Shabana Basij-Rasikh: The dream of educating Afghan girls lives on

The dream of educating Afghan girls lives on

In this deeply moving talk, educator Shabana Basij-Rasikh shares the harrowing story of evacuating more than 250 students, staff and family members from the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA) -- the country's first and only all-girls boarding school -- to Rwanda after the Taliban took power in 2021. An exceptional story of hope, resilience and dreaming big for future generations of Afghan girls -- and a challenge for the world to not look away.

A single boarding school for girls in Afghanistan became a symbol of hope, sheltering dreams even as the Taliban returned to power. In 2021, nearly 250 students, staff, and families escaped to Rwanda just weeks after burning their records to protect their lives. Forced from home, their community continues to adapt, determined to build a future where Afghan girls can learn safely. Their story is a call to never turn away from their struggle or their dreams.