On September 8, we were pleased to welcome Victory Afghanistan (VA) to an ANWS Regional Meeting. VA is a women-led organization working to make online education more accessible to girls and young people in Afghanistan.
During the meeting, VA introduced their work, including online courses, workshops, and mentorship programs. The team also shared about the current situation facing girls and women in Afghanistan, as well as their ongoing efforts to create opportunities for learning and connection despite the barriers to education.
A highlight of the meeting was the “Dear Diaries” reading session. Writing diaries is one of the activities VA encourages girls to continue, providing a space for them to practice English while expressing their thoughts and experiences. Three girls shared excerpts from their diaries with ANWS participants. Their writings reflected different aspects of their lives and hopes: one wrote about dreaming beyond high school and imagining her future; another recalled the changes she experienced after the ban on girls’ education while holding on to hope for the future; and another shared how books had become a safe place where she found strength.
The girls also shared their thoughts about their lives and experiences, and were curious to hear how participants in other countries perceived the situation in Afghanistan. Near the end of the discussion, one of the girls asked, “It has been five years. We wonder if the world has forgotten us.” Her words were deeply moving for everyone in the meeting, and served as a powerful reminder of the importance of continuing to listen, connect, and create opportunities for Afghan girls and women.
Victory Afghanistan also welcomed opportunities to collaborate with universities, organizations, and other institutions that may be able to provide girls with opportunities to study, intern, or work abroad. By connecting the girls with opportunities beyond Afghanistan, VA hopes to support them in building skills, pursuing their aspirations, and ultimately achieving greater economic independence.
The meeting may have come to an end, but the connections and possibilities it created will continue beyond the virtual space. We hope that more organizations and institutions will have the opportunity to learn about VA’s work and explore ways to support the girls’ educational and professional journeys.
SVRI Forum 2026
At the end of the meeting, Cecilia, the new Manager of International Affairs at Garden of Hope Foundation (GOH), invited ANWS members attending the upcoming SVRI Forum 2026 in Bangkok to join a coffee corner on October 5. Cecilia will also be presenting a poster at the Forum, providing another opportunity for ANWS partners to connect and share experiences.
More information about the coffee corner and meeting details will be shared through WHOVA. We look forward to seeing ANWS partners in Bangkok, exchanging experiences and ideas, and continuing the conversations and connections built through our regional meetings.
