Women of Afghanistan: Voices, Realities, and Resistance

We kindly invite you to join us for an event, which brings together Afghan women to share their perspectives on life before and after political changes, as well as the experiences of those still living under Taliban rule. The conversation will focus on key themes such as education and the resilience and courage of women, both inside and outside Afghanistan.

Rather than speaking about Afghan women, this event creates space to listen to how they describe their own realities, the challenges they face, and how they navigate and resist them in everyday life.

The discussion will also reflect on what international audiences often misunderstand, and what meaningful solidarity can look like. Grounded in lived experience and shaped with the audience in mind, the panel aims to offer a nuanced and honest conversation that acknowledges both difficulty and strength.

Speakers:

Shagoofa Rahmani:

Shagoofa Rahmani is a women’s rights advocate with a strong commitment to gender equality and social justice. She has worked on a wide range of issues, including peacebuilding, women’s rights, and access to justice.

In Afghanistan, she worked with Cordaid as a Security and Justice Programme Coordinator, where she supported initiatives aimed at strengthening women’s access to justice, particularly in remote communities. She later continued her work with Cordaid in the Netherlands, contributing to programmes focused on Women, Peace and Security.

Shagoofa has held several roles at the University Medical Center Groningen, including Legal Assistant and Staff Advisor, and currently serves as a Privacy Officer. Alongside her professional role, she independently engages in women’s rights advocacy in a personal capacity, using her platforms to raise awareness on gender equality and related social issues.

She holds a Master’s degree in Gender Studies from Utrecht University, further strengthening her academic and practical expertise in gender and societal issues.

Husna Jalal:

Husna Jalal is an Afghan activist committed to promoting women’s rights and amplifying the voices of those affected by conflict and displacement. After the Taliban regained power in August 2021, she fled Afghanistan and resettled in the Netherlands, where she continues her advocacy work.

Jalal founded the Young Afghan Women’s Movement. Through this initiative, she creates opportunities for young Afghan women by providing educational tools, resources, and an online space that enables them to connect and drive meaningful change. 

Jalal is the president of Women for Change International, an organization committed to ensuring that marginalized individuals, especially women, youth, and children, can fully exercise their human rights, regardless of their background. Her work focuses on addressing gender inequalities and creating opportunities for education and leadership, with a particular emphasis on supporting people from refugee and non-Western communities.

Mouska Safi

Mouska Safi is a legal professional and human rights advocate dedicated to women’s rights, migration, and refugee issues. Born in Afghanistan and raised in the Netherlands from the age of three, she brings both personal connection and professional insight to conversations about identity, belonging, and displacement. Through her work at Amnesty International Netherlands, her academic background at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and her research on displacement in Europe, she offers a thoughtful and deeply human perspective on the experiences of Afghan women and the challenges that continue to shape their lives.

23 April 2026, 19.30 walk-in (start 19.45)

PLNT Langegracht 70, Leiden

Are you interested? We’d be delighted to welcome you! Participation is free of charge, but advance registration via a form is required. Secure your spot and join us for an evening of meaningful conversations.

The registration form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfLqL5frGap0_K6fARiKOnEFFTI1YrEGA1qfBNrEOlIKO4oww/viewform?pli=1