The crucial window of opportunity to provide aid to millions of vulnerable Afghans is rapidly closing as the country faces yet another harsh winter.

The announcement that universities in Afghanistan are closed to women is a human rights violation. Afghanistan, like any other country, cannot thrive by keeping half of its population in the dark.

Today marks 450 days that girls have not been allowed to attend secondary and high school in Afghanistan. The continued ban on girls’ education deprives the next generation of women of their academic, social, and economic futures.

When kids are empowered with the right tools, they thrive.