Meet the Afghan girls building robots at home after the Taliban stopped their education

In Afghanistan, a group of teenage girls has turned their homes into makeshift classrooms and laboratories after the Taliban banned their access to secondary education. Despite the restrictions, the girls — once members of the internationally recognized Afghan Girls Robotics Team — are continuing their passion for science and engineering in secret.

Working with limited resources, they salvage spare parts from household items and second-hand electronics to design and build robots. Their projects range from small mechanical devices to prototypes aimed at solving everyday challenges, such as low-cost ventilators and water filtration systems.

One of the students, 16-year-old Amina, said, “We can’t go to school, but we can’t stop learning either. Robotics is our way of resisting.”

International organizations and mentors abroad have been quietly supporting the group, providing online guidance and occasional supplies. The girls say their work is not only about science but also about keeping hope alive in the face of growing restrictions.

Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban has barred girls from attending secondary school and most universities, sparking global criticism. Yet the resilience of these young innovators has drawn admiration worldwide, symbolizing both the loss of potential and the determination to keep moving forward.