For over a decade, the Sister-to-Sister Young Feminist Leadership Program has been a cornerstone of Nobel Women's Initiative's strategy to foster a world where feminist peace and security prevail. Through a combination of leadership and skills training, resource provision, and networking, this program builds the capacity of young women to become influential leaders in their communities and beyond.
For the first time, NWI is holding a regional version of the program focused on Afghanistan.
Sister-to-Sister Afghanistan brings together young feminist leaders – sisters - in an intensive program which fosters crucial solidarity, support and sisterhood, and supports peer exchange and skills development for creative advocacy, communications and peacebuilding work in a very particular, restrictive context.
We are welcoming 15 Afghan young feminist peace activists to the Sister-to-Sister network:
*some names and details have been changed to ensure the safety of participants
Learn more about the program here!
Sahar Ishaq Safi
Area(s) of Expertise: Children's Rights, Education and Women's Empowerment
Sahar Ishaq Safi is a dedicated advocate for women’s and girls’ empowerment, with a wealth of experience in program management, research, and leadership. Growing up in a family committed to education and social change—her father, a Kabul University professor, and her mother, a doctor—she was inspired to make a difference.
As Executive Director of SDESO, a women-led organization in Afghanistan, Sahar leads projects in child protection, economic empowerment, and mental health. She champions peer-to-peer education and online training for Afghan women and girls while conducting research on child marriage and gender-based violence.
Passionate about localization and sustainable development, Sahar drives initiatives that uplift marginalized communities.
Parwana Ibrahim Khail (Nijrabi)
Area(s) of Expertise: Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment
Parwana Ibrahimkhail (Nijrabi) is a passionate human rights advocate dedicated to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in Afghanistan. Despite enduring imprisonment and torture by the Taliban, she remains steadfast in her commitment to justice and social change.
As the Founder and General Director of the Women’s Movement for Peace and Freedom, Parwana leads initiatives that address systemic inequalities and amplify women's voices. She also serves as Co-Founder and Board Member of Defenders of Equality, Freedom, and Advancement for Women (DEFAW) in the United States, championing advocacy and capacity-building programs. Parwana holds a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Rana University, Kabul.
Eqlima Kochay
Area(s) of Expertise: Peace and Women's Rights Activist
Eqlima Kochay is a dedicated peace and women’s rights activist with over a decade of experience in advocacy, humanitarian response, and sustainable development. Passionate about social justice, she empowers women and marginalized communities in Afghanistan.
Throughout her career, she has led initiatives focused on gender equality, education, and peace-building, collaborating with international organizations, NGOs, and policymakers. Her efforts have provided women with education, leadership opportunities, and legal protections, while amplifying their voices and advocating for their rights. A strong advocate for peace, she actively promotes dialogue and community-based solutions to foster stability. Eqlima remains committed to building a future where women thrive without fear or discrimination.
Muzhda Akbari
Area(s) of Expertise: Refugee Rights and Education
Muzhda Akbari is a passionate advocate for girls’ education and refugee rights, committed to breaking down barriers that keep Afghan girls from learning. As the founder of CodeGreenAfg, she champions Afghan girls' right to education and provides resources to those denied schooling.
Her work has gained global recognition, earning her the Diana Award and the title of Champion for Refugees with UNHCR. Now based in Canada, Muzhda continues her advocacy as a Youth Advisory Committee Member for Aga Khan Foundation Canada, Youth Policy-Maker with OCIC, and Youth Advocate with UNICEF Canada.
Muzhda remains a steadfast voice for girls still fighting for their right to learn.
Safia Karimi
Area(s) of Expertise: International Development and Human Rights Advocacy
Safia Karimi is an Afghan American humanitarian and scholar known for her leadership in academic and social impact initiatives. After teaching herself English as a fifth language in Afghanistan, she pursued higher education in the U.S., graduating with honors from The Citadel while serving as president of the skydiving club.
In 2019, she founded Be The Change (BTC), supporting Afghans—especially orphans affected by conflict. Safia’s humanitarian efforts range from organizing educational conferences in Afghanistan to assisting homeless individuals in Chicago.
Currently pursuing a master’s in Statecraft and International Affairs, she remains committed to human rights and civic engagement, using her voice to bridge communities through leadership and compassion. Safia loves to cook and share traditional Afghan dishes, hosting community dinners that unite diverse people and foster cultural understanding.
Latifa Zafar Attaii
Area(s) of Expertise: Refugee and Migrant Rights
Latifa Zafar Attaii (b. 1994, Ghazni, Afghanistan) is a visual artist exploring identity, migration, and memory. Raised as a refugee in Quetta, Pakistan, she studied fine arts at Kabul University before earning a degree from Beaconhouse National University, Lahore, through the UMISAA scholarship.
Her work has been showcased internationally, including in China, Switzerland, the UAE, Italy, India, and South Asia, with notable exhibitions in Lahore, Quetta, and Kabul. Attaii has participated in major festivals like the Serendipity Arts Festival (Goa) and Fadjr International Festival (Tehran).
Her achievements include the Allegro Art Prize (2021), Cultures of Resistance Award (2022), and Prince Claus Seed Award (2024). She currently lives and works in Tehran, Iran.
Fawzia Qasimi
Area(s) of Expertise: Women’s Leadership, Gender Equality, Human Rights, Protection and Safeguarding
Fawzia Qasimi is a dedicated advocate for women's rights and gender equality in Afghanistan. With extensive experience in protection and safeguarding, she focuses on preventing sexual exploitation and empowering marginalized women. Through advocacy, leadership promotion, and addressing gender-based violence, she works to ensure women’s access to essential services and opportunities.
Collaborating with national and international organizations, Fawzia leads programs that protect and uplift Afghan women, driving education, community engagement, and policy reforms. Her unwavering commitment has positively impacted countless lives, fostering an inclusive and equitable society for women in Afghanistan.
Shahr Bano Qutb
Area(s) of Expertise: Education
Shahr Bano Qutb, born in 2005 in Ghazni province, has always been passionate about learning. From a young age, her greatest dream was to pass the Kankor exam and attend university. However, with the fall of the republic, that dream became a distant hope.
Despite the challenges faced by many girls, Shahr remained determined to continue her education. She dedicated herself to learning English and computer skills and later volunteered with various organizations to teach these skills to other girls who had been deprived of education.
Writing is her escape—her form of art. It allows her to navigate uncertainty and find meaning amid darkness.
Roqia Rezaei
Area(s) of Expertise: Gender Equality and Women’s Rights
Roqia Rezaei is a passionate human rights and women’s rights activist in Afghanistan, dedicated to empowering marginalized women through education and advocacy. She has collaborated with organizations like UNICEF to educate underserved women and has volunteered as a teacher for girls deprived of schooling at Girls College. Through the Green Hope Association, she has also supported educational opportunities for children in need.
Currently, Roqia serves as a provincial associate at WPSO and is an active member of an advocacy group, championing gender equality and women’s rights. Beyond activism, she is passionate about reading, writing, and documentary-making to document human rights violations, especially against women.
Mahdia Noori
Area(s) of Expertise: Gender Equality
Mahdia Noori is a passionate advocate for gender equality and women's empowerment through education. As a former medical student at Kabul University of Medical Science, her academic journey was disrupted when universities were banned. Despite this challenge, she has dedicated herself to teaching undereducated women on a voluntary basis.
Driven by a strong belief in women's power, Mahdia is committed to raising awareness and promoting education as a means of empowerment. She values connecting with women from diverse backgrounds, listening to their stories, and sharing her own to build a supportive and inclusive network.
Farzana Nikzad
Area(s) of Expertise: Education, Languages, and Advocating for Knowledge
Farzana is a dedicated educator and lifelong learner from Afghanistan, driven by a passion for knowledge and perseverance. Her journey spans diverse fields, from medical studies to teaching English and Arabic, as well as working as a librarian. Despite interruptions in her medical education, she embraced new opportunities, focusing on uplifting others through mentorship and education.
Her vision centers on building a Beautiful Academy of Knowledge and Hope—an environment where learning empowers and inspires. She believes that dedication and resilience can overcome any challenge, fostering a brighter future where education drives progress and opportunity.
Basira Paigham
Area(s) of Expertise: Gender Equality
Basira Paigham is an Afghan queer researcher and gender equality consultant. She is a UN Rights and Religion Fellow at OutRight International, a Community Navigator at the Immigrant Council of Ireland, and a Master's student in International Development at Maynooth University.
With a strong background in gender advocacy, Basira has worked with organizations such as DAI, ICMA, and Concern Worldwide. Her research focuses on gender norms, queer communities, and social justice. A BBC 100 Women honoree, she has published work with OutRight, Friedrich Naumann Stiftung, and Zan Times, among others.
Kathera Saeedi
Area(s) of Expertise: Education and Social Justice
Kathera, originally from Faryab Province, Afghanistan, is a committed advocate for social justice and women’s rights. She holds a Bachelor's in English Literature from Balkh University and is currently studying Business System Analysis and Project Management at the Canadian College of Business, Science and Technology. With over 17 years of experience, she has worked in civil society development, women-led media, education access, peacebuilding, and refugee rights, including senior roles with the Norwegian Refugee Council.
She is the founder of BRIDGE (Building Resilience and Inclusivity for a Diverse and Growing Empowerment), a nonprofit launched in Canada in 2024 to promote equity through education and training.
In Canada, she has worked with EHRC and the Pinnguaq Association, and currently serves as Program Coordinator at the Ottawa Food Bank. She is also a member of the Afghan Women Leaders Forum’s Education Committee.
Nilofar Nikzad
Area(s) of expertise: Women’s education, healthcare access, and peace-building.
Nilofar Nikzad is an aspiring Afghan medical student passionate about women’s education, healthcare, and peace. She began her medical studies at Balkh University after passing the Kankor exam but was forced to leave due to the Taliban’s restrictions. She is now continuing her MBBS studies in Pakistan.
Nilofar is also active in leadership and peace-building, having completed the Aspire Leaders Program, Girls for Girls Leadership, IWPG Peace Lecturer Training, and other international programs. As the first Afghan lecturer in IWPG’s PLT program, she trains women globally in leadership and peace-building.
Previously an English teacher, Nilofar mentored young students and advocated for girls’ education. In her free time, she enjoys reading, exploring cultures, and engaging in conversations on global health and education.
Mentors
This year’s participants will be supported throughout the program by a team of mentors who completed the program in previous years.
Amani Chehade
Area(s) of Expertise: Protection and Advocacy
Amani is a passionate advocate for women's rights and social justice, with over seven years of experience in the private and humanitarian sectors. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Law and a Master's Degree in European Union Law, with an academic focus on restorative justice and domestic violence.
Amani has pursued extensive human rights studies and actively participated in various initiatives, including receiving a scholarship to take part in the Erasmus Mundus program. Through her work in non-governmental organizations, she has documented cases of violence against women and other human rights violations, while also supporting women refugees.
She excels in strategic planning, risk management, and partnership development, and is dedicated to creating safe and equitable environments for women.
Tayeba Hashemy
Area(s) of Expertise: Human Rights, Women's Empowerment and Peace Building
Tayeba Hashemy is an Afghan human rights activist with extensive experience in promoting peace and conflict resolution in Afghanistan. She holds a Master’s Degree in Economics and has over eight years of research experience focused on women's issues in the country, giving her a profound understanding of Afghanistan’s social and economic landscape.
In addition to her activism, Tayeba has served as a university lecturer in Afghanistan, further enhancing her expertise and ability to navigate complex situations to achieve meaningful results. She actively collaborates with numerous local groups to support education and economic empowerment.
Vianne Kol Hussein
Area(s) of Expertise: Women's Rights, Impact of Conflict and War on Women
Vian K. Hussein is a Syrian-Kurdish award-winning refugee artist known for creating immersive, harmonious spaces that reflect themes of resilience, identity, and resistance. Her art serves as a powerful advocacy tool for women, refugees, and her Kurdish heritage, highlighting the devastating impact of war on people and urban environments.
Central to Vian’s work are women—both as subjects and as symbols of strength and freedom. She has showcased her art in numerous exhibitions under the banner "Women, Life, Freedom," using her creative expression to celebrate cultural identity and amplify voices silenced by conflict. Through her practice, Vian continues to raise awareness of the injustices faced by the Kurdish people while promoting healing, hope, and solidarity.