A group of more than 80 Afghan women who fled the Taliban regime to study in Oman are facing imminent deportation back to Afghanistan after their U.S.-funded scholarship was canceled as part of the Trump administration’s cuts to foreign aid. The female students were informed via email that the scholarship program had been terminated along with thousands of other foreign aid initiatives. The Afghan women are appealing for urgent help to continue their studies abroad and avoid returning to a country where they fear persecution and life-threatening risks.
The Women’s Scholarship Endowment program, launched in 2019 with a $50 million endowment from USAID, provided undergraduate and graduate education opportunities in Oman for Afghan women. The Trump administration’s decision to cancel the program as part of efforts to scale back USAID has put the Afghan students at risk.
Nonprofit groups are working with the government of Oman to resolve the situation and prevent the deportation of the Afghan students. Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, they have imposed strict restrictions on women in Afghanistan, including banning them from education and most employment opportunities.
Lawmakers like Rep. Seth Moulton have criticized the cancellation of the scholarship program, calling it shameful and urging the Trump administration to reverse course. The fate of these Afghan women, who face the possibility of returning to a dangerous and oppressive environment, has sparked concerns among human rights groups and politicians alike.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
