HERAT -- Some 60 Afghan schoolgirls in 4th to 9th grades showcased dozens of robots they have built in an exhibition in Herat city on Sunday (September 18).
The exhibition was open to the public from Sunday through Tuesday.
Most of these girls were deprived of going to school in the last year but have built robots at home. Restrictions could not stop their progress, they say.
More than 200 industrial-style robots were displayed in this exhibition, said Mohammad Hussaini, a member of the Afghanistan Robotic House and one of the organisers of the exhibition.
![Afghan girls showcase their robots in an exhibition in Herat city September 18. [Omar/Salaam Times]](/cnmi_st/images/2022/09/20/37198-r_1-739_416.webp)
Afghan girls showcase their robots in an exhibition in Herat city September 18. [Omar/Salaam Times]
"Most of the robots built by the girls are advanced enough to operate with computer programmes," he added.
The girls' talent in building these robots is outstanding, Hussaini said.
"The girls' robotics team is being put together in Herat and will be active soon," he added. "With the team set up, the girls will be able to participate in international competitions.
Almost 3,000 girls are learning how to build robots in Herat province, Hussaini said.
Mahsa Jafari, 15, a 9th grader in Herat city, has built five robots in the past year.
She has built a small electric boat, an electric tricycle, an electric vacuum cleaner, an earthquake prediction system and a conveyor belt for use in airports and factories.
"This is the beginning. I want to build more and larger robots in the future," she said. "I want to participate in international competitions by building advance robots and demonstrating the abilities of Afghan girls to the world."
"Afghan girls are talented and want to progress in different fields, but they have closed schools to us to prevent our progress," she complained.
Despite the restrictions, girls work hard day and night to progress and build a bright future for themselves, she said.
The Afghan national girls' robotics team left the country more than a year ago. It is now based in the United States.
Besides continuing their education in the United States, members of the robotics team represent Afghan girls in international robotic competitions.
Developing talent
Girls on Herat's robotics team said despite the imposed restrictions, they have been able to develop their talent in building robots.
Negar Rezae, 13, a 7th grader in Herat city who is now confined to her home, has built five robots in the past year and is optimistic about her future.
Negar built a warrior robot mainly used for entertainment, a carrier robot, a disinfecting robot, a robot for boiling water and a conveyor belt robot.
"We girls showed everyone that no one can stop our progress," she said. "By building these robots, we demonstrated our abilities and proved that we can build whatever we want."
"Girls have great talents and need only support," Negar added. "With education and a pen in their hand, girls can develop their talents. We want to build Afghanistan through education."
An Afghan girl deprived of going to school and forced to stay home can build robots and progress, she said.
Kayana Rahmani, 14, an 8th grader in Herat city, said her robot building knowledge has greatly expanded through building three robots in the past year.
"By building these robots, I want to demonstrate to other girls that they can do it too, all it takes is the will," she added. "If there is will, no restriction can stop our education and progress."
"Every girl wishes to study and progress," she added. "We girls can achieve our dreams when education opportunities are available to us. The only way to Afghanistan's prosperity is through the education of girls."
Kayana hopes schools re-open as soon as possible so girls can return to their studies and build their future.
Growth of robot building knowledge
US-based members of the Afghan robotics team have launched online courses for girls in Afghanistan to help further develop their skills.
The objective of launching online education programs is familiarising Afghan girls with new developments in robot building, said Sumaya Farooqi, captain of the Afghan national robotics team.
"Robotics resources and facilities inside Afghanistan have shrunk," she added. "We teach girls new skills and experiences to enhance their capabilities," she told Salaam Times via WhatsApp.
"The number of girls who are interested in learning robotics is very high," she added. "Some of them are covered through our education programme right now, and we will support more women in the future."
Farooqi added that she is learning about the latest advancements in technology and robotics and shares her experiences and skills with girls inside Afghanistan through online classes.
Shabnam Noorzai, another member of the Afghan national robotics team, said that she tries to participate in international competitions on behalf of Afghan girls and to win prizes.
"Despite restrictions, girls in Herat learn robotics, which is very promising."
The national team is outside the country now but stands with these girls and will support them, she said.
"Thousands of girls are busy learning robotics inside the country, which is good news," she added. "Interest [shown] by girls has led to the growth of robotics in the country, and Afghan girls will build advanced robots in the future."
The girls of Herat have always shown merit in the field of robotics. They won the first place in robotics not only in Afghanistan but in the whole world. Robot making of Herat girls is the pride of all Afghans. Girls of Herat, you should not get tired of your work. These girls have a bright future and continue their career. Sincerely, Musawar
Reply5 Comment
Herati girls are courageous and praiseworthy. Well done, and blessings on them for their skills. I hope they will share their skills with other girls in the country. The rulers may open their eyes and see how much cruelty they have committed against these girls compared to the girls of the rest of the world. They may open girls' schools and provide skills training courses for them so that we can compete with time and the people, not live like the "Companions of the Cave." Afghan girls and boys have outstanding talents. Let them show their abilities and be used over time. Gold proves well as time passes. However, if the rulers continue the way they do, an Afghan mother and her children will forever stay in darkness.
Reply5 Comment
Great. The girls of Herat are truly admirable. I congratulate and praise them. They may expand their robotics skills to other regions of the country. We want the authorities to let girls go to school and allow them to make progress in different areas. Taliban say that they have brought unprecedented security to Afghanistan. If they are honest in this claim, there is no need to worry. They can provide educational opportunities for girls. Long live Afghanistan.
Reply5 Comment
I have been following Afghanistan's robotics team for many years. These girls are the mirror of brave Afghan women. At first, they wanted to participate in world-class competition in the United States, but they were not given visas by the government of the United States then. They were granted visas after Donald Trump's daughter Mrs. Ivanika Trump interfered. They could travel to the United States to compete and become the winner. They were praised after coming to Afghanistan, and many girls were motivated by this. With the collapse of the Republic, they faced many problems. They still did not admit their failure. They participated in an exhibition in Qatar. And now, these brave girls are following their path and will bring glory in the name of Afghanistan.
Reply5 Comment
It is true that, no one can indeed avert getting knowledge and advancement. The Taliban are trying to deprive girls of education through oppression and cruelty, prevent Afghan women from growing and playing an influential role in the society. Despite that, women not only did not move back, but day by day, they are trying to move on and serve their community and people by discovering various routes. I wish a Taliban member would visit your site and read all the news about the activities and efforts of brave Afghan women. I'm sure he'll be ashamed and admit that he and their group can't stem these women. And the Taliban will fail instead of women. Afghan women will still proudly and victoriously rise from this darkness.
Reply5 Comment