18-year-old photographer Firuze Sadik shares a series of photos she took of her home in rural Afghanistan. Firuze documents everything about life in Afghanistan — from how girls and women live their lives to how people continue to find joy despite Taliban rule — highlighting the importance of amplifying nuanced Afghan stories.
From becoming a tailor to teaching other girls in secret, Afghan girls share their lives under Taliban rule.
September 15 marks the three-year ban on girls' education in Afghanistan. We asked Erin Hung, an illustrator and storyteller, to depict the lives and wishes of Afghan girls — and the result is one of a kind.
When the Taliban took over in August 2021, Marina witnessed the targeted destruction of Afghan girls' and women's rights, especially in education. She found her passion in teaching other girls. First, by creating educational videos through her YouTube channel, then through Begum Organisation for Women. By producing videos for Begum TV, she helps girls continue their secondary education
27-year-old Tamana recounts her harrowing experience imprisoned by the Taliban, her life as a student and lawyer in Afghanistan, protesting in the streets of Kabul and trying to rebuild a life after leaving Afghanistan.
Amid fear and uncertainty, here’s what is keeping young women hopeful about their education and future three years after the Taliban took control of Afghanistan.
27-year-old teacher turned Hazara activist, Sorayya, recounts the harrowing experience of being arrested by the Taliban, the struggle of young women in the country and her call for global solidarity in the stand against gender apartheid.
Malala makes it an annual tradition to meet girls all around the world on her birthday. This year, she visited Harrow High, a secondary school in London, to speak to Afghan girls about their journey to the U.K. and their hopes for girls in Afghanistan. The girls and their classmates also brainstormed ways to support Afghan girls who have been banned from school for more than 1,000 days. Meet three girls who shared their stories at this year’s Malala Day event.
Harrow High School students wrote messages to Afghan girls, expressing their solidarity and awe at their bravery and resilience, and affirming Afghan girls’ right to education.
Amina*, a 15-year-old Afghan student, interviews her dad about his role in her education, their hopes for Afghan girls’ future and what Father’s Day means in a country where girls cannot attend secondary school.
1000 days have passed since the Taliban banned girls’ education in Afghanistan. Here are messages from Afghan girls to the world amid the ongoing crisis.
14-year-old Mahtab reflects on the generosity of people in Pakistan towards her and other families from Afghanistan seeking refuge.
When the Taliban took over Kabul in 2021, girls were no longer allowed to attend schools. LEARN, a nonprofit co-founded by Malala Fund Education Champion, Pashtana Durrani, is changing that. 4 Afghan students recount what they miss most about school, their favourite subjects and more.
16-year-old girls' rights activist, Nila Ibrahimi, shares how she created HerStory, a platform where Afghan women’s stories of courage are celebrated.
Photographers and sisters Manizha and Zahra Abbasi’s lives changed when the Taliban took control in 2021. They left the country, but their desire to create art and tell stories remained. In their own words, their photography shows “the thousands of beauties and merits of women [in Afghanistan].”
25-year-old Afghan artist Sara Rahmani uses her art to draw attention to the plight and courage of Afghan women
The Afghan youth team is at the center of a new documentary reflecting on their 2021 evacuation, prepping for their first Youth World Cup, and their hopes for the future of Afghan girls.
As the school year begins for many globally, the same cannot be said for Afghan girls. 19-year-old education activist, Aydin Sahba Yaqouby, pens an open letter to the leaders of the world who have not acted to protect the rights or hear the demands of Afghan girls.
Pashtana Durrani, Axana Soltan, and Freshta Karim are at the forefront of alternative learning initiatives for Afghan youth in the face of the girls’ ban on secondary education.
Aiman Ramizy reflects on the loss of her homeland after the August 2021 evacuation at Kabul airport. She documents her experiences through poetry and photos.
17-year-old activist Muzhda Akbari writes about growing up in Afghanistan and her hopes for the future.