Dear Elon Musk,
The announcement of Starlink’s availability in Tajikistan is encouraging news. However, the need for Starlink is far more urgent in countries like Afghanistan.
Millions of Afghan women and girls have been banned from education, employment, and basic rights. Schools and universities have been closed to them for more than 1,600 days. In some instances, the Taliban have even shut down the internet entirely, cutting off access to online learning and communication.
For Afghan girls who are trying to continue their education through online platforms, internet access is not a privilege, it is a lifeline. In many rural areas, there is no reliable access to SIM cards, mobile phones, or stable connectivity.
Starlink could provide a critical opportunity for women and girls to learn, connect, and hope for a future beyond isolation. As someone who closely follows the situation on the ground and remains in contact with Afghan women, I see every day how essential secure and independent internet access is for education, freedom, and dignity.

Author