One woman at the time

Facilitating the empowerment of Afghan women: a leadership journey for a liberated Afghanistan

In the face of adversity, Afghan women continue to rise. Last week, we have had the privilege of kicking off a personal leadership training with 40 Afghan women, helping them build-up the skills and confidence to become changemakers in their communities. Their stories, aspirations, and resilience are a testament to the power of leadership grounded in integrity, courage, and collective vision.

A new kind of leadership: integrity over expectations

For decades, Afghanistan has been caught in a cycle of external influences and internal strife. True leadership in this context demands not just political strategy but an unwavering commitment to serving the people rather than fulfilling imposed expectations. The women participating in our leadership program embody this principle. They envision a future where Afghanistan is unified through a corruption-free federal government that reflects the voices of all its citizens—women included.

“We are not just fighting for our rights; we are fighting for the future of Afghanistan,” shared one participant from Kabul. “A future where decisions are made based on the needs of the people, not external interests.”

Breaking barriers: women as catalysts for unity

Afghanistan’s diverse ethnic and tribal landscape has often been seen as an obstacle to governance. However, our program participants see this diversity as an opportunity. By fostering dialogue and collaboration across different provinces, they aim to bridge divides and build a more inclusive democratic movement.

One woman, a member of the Afghanistan Women’s Political Participation Network, emphasized, “Unity will not come from top-down policies alone. It will come from grassroots leaders—women in villages and cities—who are bringing people together despite their differences.”

Walking a thin line between safety and resistance

The courage to lead does not come without risk. Many of our participants have faced direct threats, harassment, or have even been detained for their activism. The question of safety remains paramount. How do we support these women in their leadership while protecting them from backlash?

One participant recounted, “I was arrested for speaking at a small gathering about education rights. They warned me never to speak again. But silence is not an option if we want change.”

Since the Taliban’s return to power, many women right activists have been arrested, tortured, and subjected to sexual violence in prison simply for advocating for their basic rights. These acts of brutality are meant to instill fear and silence those who dare to speak out. Yet, despite these horrific injustices, Afghan women continue to resist, demonstrating extraordinary courage in the face of oppression. Their resilience underscores the urgent need for continued support, advocacy, and protection.

To address this challenge, our program incorporates strategies for continuing to build the resistance, including alliance-building with trusted local leaders, using cultural and religious narratives that support women’s empowerment, and ensuring networks of mutual protection.

The power of inner peace in leadership

Many of the women joined the leadership training not just for skills, but for something deeper—inner peace. When asked why they wanted to participate, responses included:

• “To first find peace within myself, so I can lead with clarity and strength.”
• “To learn how to manage conflict without fear.”
• “To bring hope to my sisters who feel like they have lost everything.”

This emphasis on inner peace reflects a deep understanding that sustainable leadership starts from within. Only by cultivating their own resilience and emotional strength can these women continue to work for change in a high-risk environment.

For governments, it means planning for resilience, not just recovery. For businesses, it’s about integrating climate risks into decision-making—from supply chains to customer engagement. And for individuals, it’s about coming together in community with a sense of collective responsibility. We need to build communities that care—not just about profits or politics, but about each other and the planet.

Building a movement, one leader at a time

The impact of this training extends far beyond individual growth. Each participant is a seed of transformation, carrying the knowledge and confidence to inspire others in their communities. Whether through advocacy for girls’ education, building coalitions with local elders, or creating safe spaces for women to organize, these leaders are shaping the future of Afghanistan from the ground up.

This project is a collaboration with Food for Thought Afghanistan, with Rebecca Trotter and Ahmad Reshad Attai. Special thanks to the Afghanistan Women’s Light of Freedom Movement (AWLF) for spreading the information in their network and rallying 100 women in our first Zoom call. This is an incredible coalition of women-led movements striving for peace, justice, and empowerment in Afghanistan:

1. Afghanistan Powerful Women Movement (جنبش بانوان مقتدر افغانستان)
2. New Future Women of Afghanistan Movement (جنبش آینده نوین زنان افغانستان)
3. Afghanistan Women’s Political Participation Network (AWPPN) (شبکه مشارکت سیاسی زنان افغانستان)
4. Justice-Seeking Women’s Movement of Afghanistan (جنبش زنان عدالت خواه افغانستان)
5. Lantern Freedom Movement for Women in Afghanistan (جنبش فانوس آزادی زنان افغانستان)
6. Afghanistan’s Valorous Women Spontaneous Movement (جنبش خوجوش زنان معترض افغانستان)
7. Unity and Solidarity of Afghan Women Movement (اتحاد و همبستگی زنان افغانستان)
8. Free People Movement in Exile (جنبش آزادگان در تبعید)
9. Transformational Wave Movement (موج تحول)
10. History Transformation Movement of Afghan Women (مسئول جنبش تحول تاریخ زنان افغانستان)
11. Spontaneous Movement of Afghanistan’s Fighting Women (حرکت خود جوش زنان مبارز افغانستان)
12. Afghan Women’s National Network (ANWN)
13. Afghan Women Activists’ Coordinating Body (AWACB)
14. Afghanistan Women’s New Future Movement (AWNFM)
15. Afghanistan Women’s Council for National Unity (شورای هماهنگی چتر اتحاد ملی زنان افغانستان)
16. National Movement of Afghanistan Members (عضو اعضای جنبش ملی افغانستان)

We are currently in the process of looking for funding to continue and expand this vital work. If you would like to support the cause, please get in touch with us.

Through this journey, one thing has become clear: Afghan women are not just survivors of oppression—they are architects of democracy, builders of peace, and leaders of the future.

Join us in supporting their vision. Their fight is not just for Afghanistan. It is for all of us who believe in justice, equality, and the transformative power of leadership.