Gransnet forums

News & politics

Trump USAID cuts hit Afghan Women

(35 Posts)
Wyllow3 Sat 08-Mar-25 10:32:55

A while ago we had a thread on the Afghan girls who had escaped to continue their education in Oman with their inspirational leader.

Now

More than 80 Afghan women who fled the Taliban to pursue higher education in Oman now face imminent deportation back to Afghanistan, following the Trump administration's sweeping freeze on foreign aid programmes

"Funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), their scholarships were abruptly terminated after a funding freeze ordered by President Donald Trump when he returned to office in January

"It was heart-breaking," one student told the BBC, speaking anonymously for fear of reprisals. "Everyone was shocked and crying. We've been told we will be sent back within two weeks"

Its not just them: US aid funding had enabled thousands of Afghan women to study abroad or continue education online, but many of these programmes are now suspended.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg4k25wlw21o

Yet another example of utter thoughtlessness - not examining what USAID was spent on, being selective.

The BBC has seen emails sent to the 82 students informing them that their scholarships have been "discontinued" due to the termination of the programme and USAID funding

imaround Sat 08-Mar-25 19:29:07

It is a bad mark for borh of them Norah. Trump for going rogue in negotiating terms and for removing the bulk of the personnel so quickly and Biden for not listening to his Generals at the time.

Norah Sat 08-Mar-25 19:36:26

imaround

It is a bad mark for borh of them Norah. Trump for going rogue in negotiating terms and for removing the bulk of the personnel so quickly and Biden for not listening to his Generals at the time.

Agreed.

Perhaps I poorly stated my thought. I never meant to blame Preisdent Biden, horrible things happen in war situations. I assume the whole Afghanistan debacle stretches back to GWBush.

imaround Sat 08-Mar-25 20:19:54

I agree. There is plenty enough blame to go around, even all the way back to GW Bush.

Syracute Sat 08-Mar-25 20:25:50

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5y071kxwn8o.amp

Esmay Sat 08-Mar-25 20:44:23

I have many Adghani friends .
Has Trump any idea what it's like to be an Afghani woman today ?
I doubt it .
And judging by the sad look of resignation on Melania's face -he isn't exactly a joy to live with .

imaround Sun 09-Mar-25 01:11:33

Does Trump know how they live? Probably

The problem is he doesn't care. He is incacapable of caring about anyone other than himself and money.

Truffle43 Sun 09-Mar-25 05:40:19

My heart goes out to these woman. They are desperate to do what most women take for granted. I do hope someone steps in and helps them. Life for Afghan woman must be torture every day. It’s like them going back to the the dark ages before education was the norm.

mum2three Mon 24-Mar-25 06:42:16

Surely there are charities which assist women like these....or sponsorship. I don't see why the education of foreign women should be paid for by Western countries. If people feel strongly about it, they should give to the appropriate charities.
Actionaid helps to educate children in poorer countries through sponsorship. We get enough ads on the tv highlighting these causes, so there's no excuse for not helping if you wish to.

Wyllow3 Mon 24-Mar-25 10:57:23

I think its maybe possible this very particular high profile group may be able to find help elsewhere

however

USAID cuts are going hit many humanitarian projects some which offer humanitarian aid for the desperate, or projects which help countries by giving people skills to help themselves (broadly speaking) or valuable world projects like infectious disease containment research.

There's a sad, regrettable, backward trend in the US cuts which turns away from us being "citizens of the world" - when they are the richest country towards isolation, not caring, and short sightedness.