A dedicated policy panel titled “Afghan Women’s Voices and Recommendations” formed a central part of the conference, providing a platform for Afghan women leaders to share their perspectives, experiences, and policy recommendations on advancing justice and human rights in Afghanistan.
Moderated by Dr. Homira May Rezai, Chief Executive Officer of Education Bridge for Afghanistan, the discussion focused on the continued exclusion of women and girls from education, employment, public life, and decision-making processes. While highlighting the severity of the ongoing human rights crisis, panelists also emphasized the resilience, leadership, and determination of Afghan women in advocating for justice and equality.
The panel featured Belquis Ahmadi, Farukh Leqa Unchizada, Mitra Tanomand, Sara Shukofa Pardis, and Zainab Atayee, each bringing diverse perspectives and professional expertise to the discussion. Among the panelists, Zainab Atayee, a survivor of the attack on the Kaaj Educational Center, delivered a powerful testimony on the importance of memory, survivor voices, and education in the pursuit of justice. Reflecting on the devastating impact of violence targeting students and educational institutions, she emphasized that justice requires not only accountability but also remembrance, and called for sustained international efforts to protect education, ensure safety, and expand opportunities for Afghan girls and young women.
Panelists addressed key issues including accountability for human rights violations, women’s meaningful participation in political and public life, protection concerns, access to education, survivor-centered approaches to justice, and the urgent need for sustained international support for Afghan women-led organizations and initiatives.
Throughout the discussion, speakers underscored a shared message: Afghan women must not be viewed as passive victims of the current crisis, but as leaders, rights holders, and agents of change whose voices and recommendations are indispensable to shaping Afghanistan’s future.
The panel concluded with a renewed call for the international community to strengthen its support for Afghan women-led initiatives and to ensure that Afghan women remain at the center of all international discussions and decision-making processes concerning Afghanistan.