In a letter to the Guardian, Margaret Owen, president of Widows for Peace Through Democracy, has proposed a novel plan to support Afghan girls under Taliban rule: UK independent schools should offer A-level science bursaries to Afghan girls who wish to study medicine. The proposal comes as Afghanistan faces a healthcare crisis, with the Taliban having banned girls' education, codified child marriage, and restricted women's access to male health providers.
Healthcare crisis looms
Owen warns that within a few years, Afghanistan will have no female doctors, nurses, or midwives, leading to a significant increase in maternal and neonatal mortality. She argues that offering bursaries to Afghan girls who have learned English online and demonstrated academic ability would be a practical way to help.
Bursaries as a lifeline
Owen has been in correspondence with a 15-year-old Afghan girl who aspires to become a doctor to care for her sisters. She acknowledges logistical challenges such as passports and visas but emphasizes that merely offering bursaries would keep the issue of gender apartheid in Afghanistan in the spotlight. She also suggests that this initiative would help justify the charitable status of independent schools.
Call to action
The letter is a response to a previous call by Gordon Brown for international action to support Afghan women and girls. Owen's proposal adds a concrete, educational pathway, urging UK schools to step up.
