More than 80 Afghan women who fled the Taliban regime to study in Oman are facing imminent deportation back to Afghanistan after their U.S.-funded scholarships were canceled as part of the Trump administration’s cuts to foreign aid. A program administered by the U.S. Agency for International Development at the Middle East College of Oman was terminated, leaving the students in a desperate situation.
The female students sent out an appeal for urgent help to continue their studies abroad, fearing persecution and life-threatening risks if they were to return to Afghanistan. They emphasized that being sent back would mean the permanent loss of their education and exposure to oppression, insecurity, and a future without opportunities.
The Women’s Scholarship Endowment program, with a $50 million endowment from USAID, allowed the Afghan students to study in Oman without requiring additional annual funding from the U.S. government. Nonprofit groups are currently in discussions with the government of Oman to find a solution to the situation.
Since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021, they have imposed restrictive measures on women, including banning them from education and employment. The cancellation of the scholarship program was strongly criticized by Rep. Seth Moulton, who called for the Trump administration to reverse course and reconsider the impact of cutting these programs that are crucial for the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals.
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