#RaiseAPen Voices for Afghan Women & Girls

On this page, you will hear the many voices of support both from within Afghanistan and internationally, for Afghan women and girls and their call for a continued right to education at a critical moment in Afghanistan.

It is through our collective endeavors that we can ensure these voices are heard loud and firm.

Shaharzad Akbar, Chairperson, Afghanistan Independent Human Rights
Commission

In this International Day of the Girl 2021 message, Shaharzad Akbar calls for the world to unite and defend Afghan girls’ right to education – a fundamental human right (October 2021).

Razia Arefi, General Manager, NGO Mothers For Peace, Afghanistan

Razia Arefi, who fled Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul, tells us the world should not forget Afghan women: “We are someone not no one” (September 2021).

H.E Rangina Hamidi, Minister of Education I.R of Afghanistan

H.E Rangina Hamidi, the Minister of Education of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, tells MMM: “It is my responsibility to make sure that all the little girls in this country who have a dream of becoming educated don’t get their dreams snatched away from them”.

Habiba Sarabi, Member of the Peace Negotiating Delegation I.R of Afghanistan

In conversation with Dr Habiba Sarabi, member of the Afghan peace negotiating delegation, who tells us that if you “educate a man you educate a person, if you educate a woman you educate a family and society”.

Dr Sima Samar, Afghan Women’s Rights & Human Rights Activist

Dr Sima Samar, Afghan women’s rights and human rights activist, tells us why a girl’s right to education is vital: “Girls’ education is not just a basic human right. It is also key to changing the mentality of society…we cannot go back. Without women and girl’s education you cannot have sustainable peace”.

Rahela Sidiqi, Farkhunda Trust for Afghan Women’s Education

Rahela Sidiqi, Founder & Director Farkhunda Trust for Afghan Women’s Education, MMM associate member and campaign partner talks about the importance of continued education for women & girls in Afghanistan.

Roya Mahboob, Afghan entrepreneur and philanthropist

Roya Mahboob, Afghan entrepreneur and philanthropist & CEO of Digital Citizen Fund, stresses the importance of educating girls: “I believe education is an engine for regional development, peace and prosperity. Girls have the same right to education as the boys”.

Staffan de Mistura, Former UN Special Envoy to Afghanistan

According to Staffan de Mistura, Former UN Special Envoy to Afghanistan, the MMM #RaiseAPen Campaign relaying the call of Afghan mothers “comes at a critical moment for Afghanistan. There can be no sustainable peace in the country without education for all, but most importantly, education for women and girls who represent 51% of the population”.

Henrietta H. Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF

Henrietta H. Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF, reaffirms the importance of girls’ education and expresses UNICEF’s support for MMM’s #RaiseAPen campaign.

Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Executive Director Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security

Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Executive Director Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security, reminds us: “Never underestimate the power of the book; never underestimate the power of the pen”.

Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director General of Education

Stefania Giannini, UNESCO Assistant Director General of Education, reminds us that “Girls’ education not only leads to a better future for her, but it leads to a better society for all of us”.

Najat Maalla M’jid, UN Special Representative on Violence against Children

Dr Maalla M’jid, UN Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children, tells us: “Education is key to prevent and eliminate violence against children…the deprivation of education is in itself a form of violence”.

Rima Salah, Former Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF and Chair of ECPC

Rima Salah, Chairperson of Early Childhood Peace Consortium (ECPC) tells MMM that the reason she is supporting the #RaiseAPen campaign is because “education for girls is education for all communities and societies. An educated girl can educate her children and be a good mother”.

Latest News from MMM and its Network

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UN Geneva, Human Rights Council - MMM reasserts the importance of every woman and girl 's economic, social and cultural rights and calls for the international community to mobilize.

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Afghan faces and voices of courage

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August 15th saw the collapse of the Afghan government and a return to power by the Taliban. At MMM, like much of the rest of the world, we were shocked at the speed with which change came about.

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#RaiseAPen campaign passes important milestones at European Parliament

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Our campaign, aimed at supporting Afghan women’s pressing request to a continued right to education, passed two important milestones at the European Parliament recently.

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AFG Minister of Education raises her pen for Afghan girls: “Without education I would not have been what I am today”

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Press Release - #RaiseAPen Campaign: Virtual high-level panel discussion of 25 November

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Together with mothers in Afghanistan for the right to education for their daughters

26.11.20

A look back at our online High Level Panel Discussion of 25 November 2020 - Event recording, highlights, how you can get involved in the #RaiseAPen campaign

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Invitation – Together with mothers in Afghanistan for the right to education for their daughters

12.11.20

Join our high level virtual panel discussion #RaiseAPen on November 25th 2020 16:00 Paris / 19:30 Kabul to hear international decision makers discuss the way forward.

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