More than 80 Afghan women who fled the Taliban regime to study in Oman are facing imminent deportation to Afghanistan after their U.S.-funded scholarship was canceled due to the Trump administration’s cuts to foreign aid. The students received an email informing them of the termination of the scholarship program, which was administered by USAID at the Middle East College of Oman. The female students are appealing for help to continue their studies abroad, as they fear facing persecution and life-threatening risks if they are forced to return to Afghanistan.
The Women’s Scholarship Endowment program, launched in 2019 with a $50 million endowment from USAID, funded the Afghan students’ undergraduate and graduate degrees in Oman. Interest from the endowment covered the program’s costs without requiring additional annual funding from the U.S. government. Amid efforts to scale back foreign aid, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that 83% of USAID programs had been canceled.
Nonprofit groups are working with the government of Oman to find a resolution for the Afghan students. Since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021, they have imposed strict restrictions on women, including bans on education and employment. Lawmakers like Rep. Seth Moulton have criticized the cancellation of the scholarship program, calling for a reversal to save the lives of these bright young women. The situation highlights the dire consequences of cutting off support for education and empowerment initiatives in regions affected by conflict and instability.
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