'Cutting the Internet is Gender Based Violence'

The September 2025 internet blackout in Afghanistan, enforced under the pretext of an ‘immoral activities’ crackdown, saw the nation of 43 million people cut off from far more than just the online world. It severed Afghans from their friends, families, and communities. At a time where the internet serves as a vital lifeline for communication, hope, advocacy, and aid, its restriction profoundly affected Afghans both inside the country and across the diaspora.

Women, in particular, were deeply affected by the blackout. For many, the internet was not only a pathway to continued education but also a rare space for self-expression and connection. Its removal cut them off from both opportunity and community.

Inherently, storytelling is an act of resistance and protection. It offers a platform to share truths, provide solidarity, and guide others navigating similar challenges and triumphs. Restricting the very medium through which so many connect and speak is, therefore, an act of control and an abuse of power.

At the end of this publication, you will find a short annual report describing the various initiatives AMPLIFY has undertaken (using the internet) this year. We hope this helps contextualise our firm belief that cutting the internet is gender-based violence against Afghan women.

Read our opinion piece on Development Policy Blog. 

Photo from the publication launch event (Naarm/Melbourne, December 2025)