Zahra Tawana Amplifies Afghan Women’s Voices at the National Young Feminist Leadership Conference

March 29–31, 2025 | Washington, D.C.

We’re thrilled to share that Zahra Tawana, board member of the Afghanistan Law and Political Science Association (ALPA) in Exile, represented our organization at the National Young Feminist Leadership Conference, hosted by the Feminist Majority Foundation from March 29–31, 2025.

Zahra spoke on a powerful panel titled “Ending Gender Apartheid in Afghanistan: The Fight for Freedom”, alongside esteemed Afghan women leaders including Dr. Habiba Sarabi, former Governor of Bamiyan and Minister of Women’s Affairs, and Mary Akrami, founder of the Afghan Women’s Network. Moderated by Makhfi Azizi, the panel shed light on the brutal gender-based oppression Afghan women continue to face under the Taliban—particularly around education, work, and public life.

In her remarks, Zahra introduced the work of ALPA in Exile, focusing on our efforts through the Academy and Publications Division to keep intellectual and civic engagement alive for displaced Afghan scholars. She shared insights on the opportunities and challenges of online education, and how ALPA continues to provide platforms for teaching, research, and publishing despite exile and restriction.

Importantly, Zahra also highlighted how students and activists around the world can engage with ALPA, whether as instructors, editors, mentors, or collaborators. Her message was met with great enthusiasm—many students expressed interest in joining the ALPA network and supporting its mission.

This event marks another important step in building global solidarity with Afghan women and scholars, and in ensuring that their voices, knowledge, and leadership remain central to feminist and academic discourse.