Date & Time: October 26, 2024 | 3:00 - 4:30 PM

Event Title: Annual Student/Alumni Roundtable: Education and Women's Rights in Afghanistan

Location:  In-person on the Harvard University campus OR virtually via Zoom.  

Event Overview: This event marks the culmination of Harvard GlobalWE's 10th Anniversary celebrations, It will focus on the pivotal role of education in advancing women's rights. Lauryn Oates, Executive Director of Right to Learn Afghanistan, will share her experiences advocating for girls’ education amidst severe restrictions by the Taliban.

On 26Oct2024, Harvard GlobalWE was pleased to have the culminating event of our 10th anniversary celebration, our annual Roundtable, on campus, in Cambridge.

We were honored to host Dr. Lauryn Oates, Executive Director of Right to Learn Afghanistan, who spoke about “Education and Women’s Rights in Afghanistan.” Dr. Oates shared her powerful experiences advocating for and enabling girls’ education under the severe restrictions imposed by the Taliban.

Dr. Oates first outlined the multiple interlinked crises – education, humanitarian and human rights – that the gender apartheid practiced by the Taliban has created. She then described RTL Afghanistan’s responses to mitigate them: creating access for girls from their homes to free self-study courses and a virtual library and providing devices, power banks and satellites, and Learning Plus baskets with books, learning materials, food aid, and hygiene and winterization supplies. They also provide scholarships for higher education for the advanced students who are able to leave Afghanistan, and work with higher education institutions to accept transfer students, enable virtual enrollment, and contribute resources and volunteers. With their passion and dedication to their mission, Right to Learn Afghanistan is an ideal collaborator for Harvard GlobalWE and we look forward to further engagement with RTLA.

Our moderators then facilitated an invigorating Q&A session that included questions and insights from our rapt audience which combined participants in the room as well as online attendees. Discussion focused on both what RTLA is doing as well as other global challenges where such interventions could make a difference.

We would like to thank Dr. Oates as well as our attendees and our team for such a powerful and insightful discussion - one that truly epitomizes the mission of GlobalWE which is to empower women through education, dialogue, and connection.

Speaker:

Lauryn Oates, PhD, Executive Director           

Dr. Lauryn Oates, Executive Director of Right to Learn Afghanistan, formerly known as Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, holds a BA Honours in International Development from McGill University, an MA in Human Security and Peacebuilding from Royal Roads University, and a PhD in Language and Literacy Education from the University of British Columbia. Lauryn has worked with a variety of development organizations, multilateral agencies, and governments designing, planning, evaluating, or implementing programming in education and in gender equality, particularly in war-affected countries. She authored UNICEF’s 2012 Afghanistan Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (AMICS) and is the recipient of multiple awards and distinctions including a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal awarded by the province of British Columbia.Dr. Lauryn Oates, Executive Director of Right to Learn Afghanistan, formerly known as Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan, holds a BA Honours in International Development from McGill University, an MA in Human Security and Peacebuilding from Royal Roads University, and a PhD in Language and Literacy Education from the University of British Columbia. Lauryn has worked with a variety of development organizations, multilateral agencies, and governments designing, planning, evaluating, or implementing programming in education and in gender equality, particularly in war-affected countries. She authored UNICEF’s 2012 Afghanistan Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (AMICS) and is the recipient of multiple awards and distinctions including a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal awarded by the province of British Columbia.

Discussion Moderator: 

Julie Palmer 

Founder and President Emerita of GlobalWE

Q&A Moderator:

Sajida H. Shroff

President Emerita of GlobalWE

Other Details 

Questions: If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact us at info@harvardglobalwe.org

Views: Harvard Alumni For Global Women's Empowerment Harvard GlobalWE is a shared interest group of the Harvard Alumni  Association. We are dedicated to the empowerment of women through education, dialogue and connection among individuals working for women's rights and freedoms worldwide. Harvard GlobalWE does not advocate a specific ideology or political or cultural agenda. We are an inclusive organization with membership open to and comprising all genders.

While membership is free, Harvard GlobalWE accepts donations from members to support its programs and initiatives. To become a member of Harvard GlobalWE, please JoinWE. To learn more, please visit our website and our Facebook group.

The views expressed during our events are solely those of the speaker(s) and participating audience and do not imply endorsement by Harvard GlobalWE and/or Harvard University.