In a poignant twist of fate, nineteen female medical students who were banned from pursuing their studies in Afghanistan are now set to complete their education in Scotland. This remarkable turn of events comes three years after the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan, which has severely curtailed women’s rights and opportunities.
The students’ journey to Scotland has been facilitated by the Linda Norgrove Foundation, a charity established in memory of Linda Norgrove, an aid worker from Uig in Lewis who was tragically killed in Afghanistan in 2010. The foundation, working in close collaboration with the UK and Scottish governments, has played a pivotal role in arranging visas and securing places for the students in Scottish medical schools.
Omulbanin Sultani, one of the students, expressed the profound emotional toll of the past three years. “We endured one thousand days of suffering to reach this point. One thousand days of being confined to our homes, of having our voices silenced with nothing but tears and sorrow, our lives wasting away,” Sultani said. Her words capture the intense struggle faced by these young women, whose dreams of becoming medical professionals were nearly extinguished by political upheaval.
The Linda Norgrove Foundation, which has been actively highlighting the plight of Afghan women and girls, initially faced significant bureaucratic delays in bringing the students to the UK. These delays were exacerbated by global conflicts, including the ongoing crises in Ukraine and the Middle East, which put additional pressure on international aid and resettlement efforts.
Despite these hurdles, the Scottish and UK governments have been instrumental in overcoming the obstacles. The foundation successfully lobbied for student visas as an alternative to the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme, and Scottish authorities amended student funding regulations to classify women as home students. This adjustment means the students will benefit from free tuition and living costs support during their time in Scotland.
John Norgrove, a representative of the Linda Norgrove Foundation, expressed relief and elation at the successful resolution of the students’ relocation. “We’re all delighted to have finally succeeded after so much frustration. Finally, these 19 incredibly talented young women get their future back with the opportunity of a tremendous education and a career. The alternative for them in Afghanistan wasn’t good,” he said.
The Scottish government has been a critical ally in this endeavor. Kirsty McNeill, Under Secretary of State in the Scotland Office, commended the charity’s perseverance, stating, “I’m very pleased that, by working together, we have been able to bring them to Scotland.” Scottish Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth added, “These inspiring women will now be treated as home students, meaning they will benefit from free tuition and living costs support here in Scotland.”
The support for the students has extended beyond governmental efforts. Organizations such as The Big House Multibank, Amazon UK, and Cargilfield School in Edinburgh have contributed to the effort, reflecting a broad community commitment to this cause.
Over the past 14 years, the Linda Norgrove Foundation has raised more than £3 million to support women and girls in Afghanistan and to aid refugees resettling in Scotland. The foundation’s work has included funding various projects and providing assistance to those displaced by conflict.
The story of these nineteen Afghan female medical students is a testament to the resilience of individuals and the power of international solidarity. As they embark on this new chapter in Scotland, their journey symbolizes hope and the enduring fight for women’s rights and education, even in the face of formidable adversity.
