A Glimpse into Afghanistan’s Typing Classes for Women in the 1960s
.نگاهی به کلاس های تایپ در افغانستان برای زنان در دهه شصت میلادی

This powerful black-and-white photograph captures a pivotal moment in Afghanistan’s history during the 1960s, a period marked by efforts to modernize and improve educational opportunities for women. In the image, seven young women can be seen focused on their typing machines, diligently practicing their skills in a classroom designed to equip them for professional roles in an increasingly modernized society.

Inside the classroom, three female instructors are present, two of whom bear distinct features suggestive of foreign origins. Their presence is a reflection of Afghanistan’s efforts to incorporate international expertise into its educational reforms. The atmosphere is one of focused determination, as the women follow the guidance of their instructors in mastering the art of typing—a vital skill that, at the time, was seen as essential for the growing demand for administrative work in the country.

Each student has a typewriter and an instructional book placed neatly in front of them, signifying the structured nature of this educational program. The textbooks, which appear to be specifically designed to teach typing, suggest that the class was part of a larger initiative by the Afghan government to empower women through education and provide them with the technical skills needed for professional employment.

In the 1960s, Afghanistan was undergoing a series of social and economic reforms, and one of the government’s key priorities was the expansion of educational opportunities for women. The promotion of typing and secretarial training was part of a broader effort to bring women into the workforce and increase their participation in public life. The presence of foreign instructors further highlights the international collaboration and support that Afghanistan received during this period of reform.

This photograph not only documents a moment in time but also reflects the spirit of a country striving to balance tradition with modernization, as well as the transformative role of education in the lives of Afghan women.