At a time when educational and employment opportunities for many women in Afghanistan have become limited, the internet has emerged as one of the most important tools in their daily lives. Interviews conducted by Salam Watandar with 25 women in the provinces of Ghazni, Kapisa, Baghlan, Laghman, Panjshir, Parwan, and Kabul show that these women use the internet for education, communication, and access to information. Among the 25 women interviewed, 7 said they do not face challenges in paying for internet services, while the remaining 18 reported difficulties in covering the cost.
According to this report, the monthly cost of internet services for these women ranges from 1,000 to 3,000 Afghanis — an expense that, in all cases, is paid by family guardians. Fathers, brothers, and in some cases husbands are responsible for covering these costs. Some women said they are questioned by family members about their frequent internet use, while others reported no such restrictions.
The women interviewed say that their use of the internet has increased significantly in their daily lives. Access to educational resources, maintaining communication with others, and obtaining information are among the needs that have strengthened their dependence on the internet.
Marwa Noori, a 17-year-old resident of Kabul whose father pays for her internet, says she uses it primarily for education. She explains that she wishes she could pay for it herself but cannot afford to do so, “I attend online classes and communicate with my friends through the internet. My father pays for my internet, and because of that I face many limitations and challenges in using it.”
Manizha, a 17-year-old from Ghazni whose family also pays for her internet, says internet prices in Afghanistan are high and data runs out quickly, “I use the internet for online classes as well as for news and information. When the family pays for the internet, they set limits and sometimes even become upset. Internet in Afghanistan is expensive and finishes quickly.”
Other women interviewed in the report say they use the internet to continue their education and manage online businesses. Zainab, an 18-year-old from Kabul, says,
“My sister pays for my internet. I do not face restrictions, but my mother monitors my usage and tells me to use the internet less. Since I study online, I use more internet than other family members.”
Husna, a 25-year-old from Laghman, says she uses the internet mainly for work and teaching, “Most of my internet use is related to work and teaching. Since most of my tasks are done online, my internet consumption is high, and sometimes my family complains about my usage.”
Maryam, a 19-year-old from Parwan, uses the internet to learn and memorize the Holy Quran. She says, “I use the internet to learn and memorize the Holy Quran, and my father pays for it. I mostly use WhatsApp, while male members of my family use the internet mainly for entertainment.”
Rukhsar, a 20-year-old from Kabul, says she uses the internet for teaching and pays for it herself, “I use the internet for teaching and pay for it myself. Because I am busy teaching most of the time, my internet consumption is higher than that of the men in my family.”
Women’s rights activists consider internet access essential for women and emphasize that, due to existing limitations in education and employment, the internet can have significant positive impacts on women’s lives. They call on the government to reduce internet costs for women and facilitate access to this tool.
Sorya Yousufi, a women’s rights activist, says online education and digital work are beneficial for women. She adds, “Digital literacy should be provided to all women, and internet access must be available and accessible across the country. Today, women’s access to work and education is limited, and online learning and work are highly beneficial. Women in Kabul and other major cities use the internet, but women in rural areas often lack access. We ask institutions to provide internet access in villages and rural areas and to reduce internet costs.”
Technology and telecommunications experts believe that in order to reduce internet prices and ensure equal access across the country, the government must expand telecommunications infrastructure and develop fiber-optic networks across all regions. Qarib Aryan, a technology expert, says,
“The internet in Afghanistan is expensive because the sources are located outside the country. Efforts should be made to reduce prices, as vulnerable groups — especially women — are more affected by high internet costs.”
Meanwhile, officials at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology say they are working to provide equal and high-quality internet services across Afghanistan. According to them, nearly 7 million new subscribers have been added to internet networks over the past four years.
Anayatullah Alokozay, spokesperson for the ministry, says, “Over the past four years, the Ministry of Communications has worked to expand internet services across Afghanistan. Nearly 7 million new subscribers have been added, and the total number of active internet and call service subscribers currently stands at 29 million.”
The internet is not only an educational and professional tool for women in Afghanistan but also an essential part of daily life, enabling social participation, access to information, and online learning. Dependence on family members to cover internet costs limits and regulates their usage; nevertheless, many women are striving to overcome these restrictions through planning and online activities.
Reporter: Twoba Rasuli
