Amplifying Afghan Women's Voices for Justice and Equality.
Our History
Shahmama, originally the female name of one of the two ancient Buddha statues in Bamyan province of Afghanistan, dating back to the 5th century AD, symbolized gender equality, balance, and harmony between men and women in Afghan society. Its destruction by the Taliban in 2001 marked not only the loss of Afghanistan’s cultural heritage but also the silencing of women’s rights and voices. Inspired by this legacy, Shahmama Organization carries forward the spirit of resilience, equality, and empowerment in all its work.
Profile
Shahmama is a Geneva-based, women-led, non-profit, and non-governmental organization dedicated to advancing the rights, leadership, and dignity of Afghan women and girls. Grounded in the principles of gender equality and social justice, Shahmama amplifies women’s voices through international advocacy, leadership empowerment, and capacity-building initiatives, fostering their meaningful participation in decision-making processes at national and global levels.
Through its programs and partnerships, Shahmama works to strengthen Afghan women’s engagement in shaping inclusive, sustainable, and equitable solutions for the future of Afghanistan.
Vision
A just and inclusive Afghanistan where women and girls enjoy equal rights, freedom, and opportunities to lead, participate, and shape their country’s future.
Mission
To advocate for the rights and resilience of Afghan women and girls by amplifying their voices, strengthening their leadership, and promoting gender equality and social justice through international advocacy, capacity-building, empowerment, and global engagement.
Goals
Promote Gender Equality: Advocate for the equal rights and participation of Afghan women in all spheres of life. Strengthen Women’s Leadership: Build the confidence, skills, and networks of Afghan women to take active roles in leadership and decision-making.
Advance International Advocacy: Elevate Afghan women’s perspectives and priorities in global policy dialogues and human rights forums.
Support Women’s Empowerment: Enhance access to education, professional growth, and opportunities for Afghan women and girls.
Foster Global Solidarity: Build partnerships with international actors, UN bodies, civil society, and institutions to collectively promote women’s rights and justice in Afghanistan.
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Events
Second Geneva International Conference on Advancing Gender Justice and Accountability for Women of Afghanistan
UN Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan
The UN Special Rapporteur opened by thanking Shahmama, partners, and Qatar, while expressing condolences for recent earthquake victims. He stressed the need for a clear, resource-focused strategy for Afghan human rights defenders, with women’s voices at the center. Highlighting the severe deterioration of rights since the Taliban takeover, he described institutionalized gender persecution, targeting of minorities, corporal punishment, and killings, which may amount to crimes against humanity. He called for justice through investigations, prosecutions, reparations, and inclusive truth-telling. Recommendations included setting human rights benchmarks for Taliban engagement, strengthening accountability mechanisms like the ICC and UNAMA, codifying gender apartheid in international law, increasing funding, and supporting Afghan women and minorities. He closed by urging that accountability and gender justice remain central, with an independent investigation mechanism at the next HRC session, to restore dignity for all Afghans.
Canada RepresentativeÂ
Canada expressed condolences for earthquake victims and praised the resilience of Afghan human rights defenders, especially women and girls. The representative highlighted the Taliban’s systematic denial of women’s rights since 2021, noting that 23 million Afghans rely on aid, with women disproportionately affected. Canada detailed its support through over $250M in humanitarian aid, $133M for development programs, and the resettlement of 55,000 Afghans, while continuing to back Afghan HRDs in exile and condemn Taliban abuses. Working with international partners under CEDAW, Canada pushes for accountability, justice, and the restoration of women’s rights, while applauding organizations like Shahmama. The speech reaffirmed Canada’s enduring commitment to a stable, inclusive Afghanistan free from oppression.
European Parliament RepresentativeÂ
Ms. Raquel Garcia Hermida-van der Walle, on behalf of the European Parliament, expressed condolences for the recent earthquake in Afghanistan and highlighted concerns for displaced Afghans, particularly women, girls, and journalists facing expulsions from Pakistan. She stressed alarm over Taliban restrictions that obstruct humanitarian and medical aid, while outlining EU priorities in emergency response, including healthcare, shelter, protection, and early recovery, supported by tools like the Copernicus satellite system. She noted a decline in aid in recent years but confirmed a new €161 million package for 2025, with funding directed through humanitarian partners to avoid legitimizing the Taliban. The European Parliament will debate Afghanistan’s situation in October, focusing on women’s rights, inclusion, and earthquake recovery. She closed by reaffirming solidarity with Afghans and the EU’s commitment to addressing humanitarian and human rights challenges collaboratively.
Finland RepresentativeÂ
Finland extended condolences for earthquake victims and praised the resilience of Afghan women and girls, especially human rights defenders at risk. It condemned the Taliban’s systematic restrictions since 2021, including morality laws that enforce discrimination and exclusion, while recognizing Afghan women as active agents of resistance. Finland reaffirmed support for international accountability efforts under CEDAW and emphasized the need for justice, recognition, and acknowledgment of women’s contributions and suffering. It highlighted its own aid efforts, including support for women’s health, gender equality, and civil society, while committing to keep Afghanistan high on the global agenda. Finland closed by stressing that Afghan women’s voices must remain central in shaping their future and reaffirmed solidarity with their struggle for dignity, safety, and freedom.
Chile RepresentativeÂ
Chile expressed condolences for Afghanistan’s earthquake victims, drawing on its own history with earthquakes to show solidarity and compassion for affected families. As a co-sponsor, it emphasized the centrality of Afghan women’s voices and described the current situation as one of exclusion, fear, and resilience, marked by bans on education and work for women and systemic policies of repression. Chile urged the Human Rights Council to act decisively despite funding challenges, stressing the need for accountability to prevent cycles of violence through documentation, evidence preservation, and justice avenues. It reaffirmed its support for CEDAW initiatives and noted its role in the 2021 ICC referral alongside other nations. Domestically, Chile has welcomed Afghan refugees and continues collaborating with Afghan women and organizations for human rights and humanitarian support. In closing, Chile thanked the organizers, underscored the importance of such dialogues, and reaffirmed its commitment to Afghan women and to global human rights.
Our partners
