This week, Afghanistan’s Kimia Yusufi competed against the best of the best in the 100-meter track heat at the 2016 Summer Olympics. She was one of three athletes, and the only woman, representing Afghanistan in Rio.
Obama Announces Continued Troop Presence in Afghanistan
President Barack Obama announced Wednesday that the U.S. military intends to withdraw 5,500 troops from Afghanistan by the end of 2016, leaving 8,400 troops in country to provide local security and tailored support.
Afghan Rap Singer, Warrior Against Child Marriage, Awarded
Nineteen year old Afghan rap singer, Sonita Alizadeh, known for protesting child marriage through her songs, was recently depicted in a documentary entitled Sonita, which just won the 2016 World Cinema Documentary Audience Award.
Obama’s New Plan for Troops Means Continued Hope for Afghan Women
The Obama administration has announced that the United States will continue to support the Afghan National Security Forces through 2020.
First All Female University Opens In Afghanistan
Afghanistan’s first lady Rula Ghani officially inaugurated Moraa, the first-ever all women’s university in Afghanistan, last month.
USAID Promote Program Graduates First Afghan Women Leaders
Afghan First Lady Rula Ghani delivered a commencement address in Kabul earlier this month to the first Afghan women graduates from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Women’s Leadership Development program.
Afghan Women Launch 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
Afghanistan marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and begun participating in the worldwide 16 Days Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Rising Support for Women’s Education in Afghanistan
A survey of the Afghan people by the Asia Foundation for 2015 found that 74% of Afghans support women’s access to higher education.
Tabassom’s Revolution: One Step Closer to the 21st Century
Walking on a rainy day on Kabul’s streets is harder than climbing a mountain in the winter. I walked along Dashti Barchi, where the mass of protesters began marching, holding high above their shoulders the coffins of the seven innocent Afghan Hazara people beheaded by ISIS.
Afghans Protest Nationwide over Beheadings by ISIS
Thousands of Afghans took to the streets in Kabul on Wednesday after seven people from the Hazara ethnic group were beheaded by ISIS.
Taliban Stones to Death 19 Year Old Afghan Woman
Recently, a 19 year old Afghan woman was stoned to death after she was accused of adultery.
Taliban Takeover of Kunduz Hurt Women and the Media
At the end of September, the Taliban took control of the city of Kunduz. The Afghan government, with some help from the international community, kicked them out in a few days. But during this brief time of the Taliban takeover of the city, women were the first targets and once again paid the price for fighting for their rights.
Afghan Woman Runs in Country’s First Marathon
“I think little by little, I’ll bring change,” said Zainab, the first Afghan woman to participate in a marathon in Afghanistan.
Deadly Earthquake in Afghanistan Kills Hundreds, Including 12 School Girls
Monday’s destructive earthquake in Afghanistan has left over 340 people dead in the northeastern provinces of Afghanistan and neighboring Pakistan. Among the dead were 12 school girls who perished in a stampede, as they tried to flee their school in Taloqan, located in Takhar province of Afghanistan.
Kabul University to Open First Gender Studies Program in Afghanistan
Kabul University just launched its first Gender and Women’s studies graduate program, the first of its kind in all of Afghanistan. The two-year program is another important step for Afghan women in achieving equality and increasing opportunity. According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the mission of this program is “to create a platform […]
Afghan Women Awarded for Women’s Rights Advocacy
Ten women in Afghanistan were awarded the prestigious Medal of Malalai for their work promoting women’s rights.
Looking Back: My Experience as a Woman Studying Computer Science at Kabul University
Kabul University has more than 20,000 students from all over the country, all of whom had to pass a tough entrance exam. And I was one of them.
President Assures There Will Be Justice for Farkhunda in Afghanistan Following Outcry by Women’s Rights Leaders
Leaders were outraged last week when the Appeals Court of Afghanistan reversed the death penalties issued in the murder case of Farkhunda, who was killed by an angry mob in March.
President Ghani Confirms: Four Women Ambassadors to be Appointed in Afghanistan
Ashraf Ghani, President of Afghanistan, announced that at least four women will be appointed as foreign diplomats, as well as made other promises for appointments of female government officials at varying levels of Afghanistan’s government. Last week, the Office of the President of Afghanistan tweeted that “at least four women ambassadors will be appointed to represent […]
Afghan Girls Win Gold at International Science Competition
Three schoolgirls from Afghanistan won gold in biology at an international science competition hosted in Kenya last week.
