Afghan girls who study in secret want you to read their "letters to the world"

Every once in a while, you read something that stops you in your tracks. This CBS News feature did that for me.

In a world where many of us take education, opportunity, and the freedom to dream for granted, 21 Afghan girls shared handwritten letters that reveal what life looks like when even the most basic aspirations are denied. These young women are continuing to study in secret, defying Taliban restrictions that have effectively erased educational opportunities for countless girls across Afghanistan. In their letters, they write not of grand ambitions or fame, but of simple hopes: becoming a teacher, a doctor, a journalist, or simply living an ordinary life.

What gave me goosebumps was not only their courage, but their resilience. Despite fear, uncertainty, and enormous obstacles, these girls continue to learn, dream, and believe in a future that many are trying to take from them. Their words powerfully remind us of what DWCNV sees every day: education is more than knowledge. It is independence, dignity, possibility, and hope.

As you read these letters, I invite you to pause and reflect on the strength behind every sentence. The voices in this story deserve to be heard, amplified, and remembered.

Read the CBS News feature: Afghan girls who study in secret want you to read their "letters to the world." https://www.cbsnews.com/projects/2026/secret-girls-school-letters/

Why this matters: When women and girls have access to education and opportunity, entire communities benefit. These letters remind us that the desire to learn, contribute, and build a better future is universal, and that supporting women's empowerment remains one of the most powerful ways to create lasting change.