Zarqa Yaftali@ZarqaYaftali
In the name God
Appreciation Message
With utmost respect and gratitude, I express my sincere appreciation for receiving the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity 2026.
Receiving this Award is not only an honor, but also a responsibility and a source of renewed inspiration. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity, the distinguished and independent Judging Committee, the Award’s Secretariat, and all those who managed the process with commitment, transparency, and a humane vision.
I regard this recognition not as an individual achievement, but as an acknowledgement of a collective and historic journey; one that Afghanistan women have been walking for many years with courage, resilience, and immense sacrifice. Women who, despite systemic deprivation, exclusion from education, social restrictions, and widespread violations of their basic rights, have continued to uphold the values of justice, human dignity, and hope for a future.
Rooted in the values and principles of peace, coexistence, mutual respect, dialogue, and belief in a shared human family, the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity plays a vital role in strengthening the moral and human legitimacy of Afghanistan women’s advocacy. This Award sends a clear message to the world: that the efforts of women, even under the most challenging circumstances, are seen, heard, and deserve global solidarity and support.
This honor is not merely symbolic for the Afghanistan women and girls; it is a source of hope, motivation, and encouragement to continue their pursuit of fundamental rights, particularly the right to education, social and political participation, and a life lived with dignity. The support of credible and respected international institutions is essential in sustaining women’s advocacy and ensuring that their voices are heard at regional and global levels.
With deep humility, I dedicate this Award to all women, inside Afghanistan and across the world, who continue to work for women’s rights, girls’ education, and humane values despite pressure, threats, and severe limitations; to the mothers who keep hope alive amidst despair; to the teachers and activists who refuse to let the light of awareness be extinguished; and to the girls who have not given up their dreams of learning and building a better tomorrow.
I also sincerely thank all organizations, friends, civil society and human rights activists, journalists, and everyone around the world for their kind messages and support.
I hope this recognition will not only strengthen my efforts, but also foster international solidarity with Afghanistan women, raise global awareness of their situation, and lead to practical and sustainable support of their rights.
I firmly believe that through empathy, shared responsibility, and international cooperation, we can create an environment in which Afghanistan women and girls can fully attain their rightful human rights.
The current situation in Afghanistan is not merely an internal or political crisis; it is a clear and systematic violation of human rights, which we call gender apartheid. Depriving women and girls from education, employment, and public participation is unjustifiable and must not be normalized under the guise of culture or politics. Regional and global actors must understand that the future of Afghanistan is inseparable from women’s rights and that silence amounts to legitimizing oppression.
Once again, I am deeply grateful to the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity and the esteemed Judging Committee for their trust and solidarity.
With kind regards
Zarqa Yaftali
Founder of WCRAN
