Monash GPS Advances Advocacy and Education for Afghan Women and Girls
The Monash Global Peace and Security (GPS) Centre continues its commitment to advancing the rights, resilience, and empowerment of Afghan women and girls. Under the leadership of GPS Project Coordinator Parisa Sekandari, a series of transformative projects and initiatives have spotlighted the challenges faced by Afghan women under oppressive regimes while creating platforms to amplify their voices and restore access to education.
Highlighting the Challenges: Broken Dreams Report
The Broken Dreams: The Psychosocial Impact of the Taliban on Afghan Girls report, published earlier this year, highlights the devastating psychosocial effects of the Taliban regime on Afghan girls. Through in-depth research, the project sheds light on the challenges faced by young Afghan women while advocating for international action to address their plight. Read the full report here.
Empowering Through Education: The Afghan Girls Training Project
In July, GPS launched the Afghan Girls Training Project, an innovative online education program designed to equip over 100 young women in Afghanistan with vital research and writing skills. The one-month intensive program served as a lifeline for participants seeking to re-engage in learning despite systemic barriers.
“The training equipped Afghan girls with essential skills and a platform to voice their experiences, fostering resilience and empowerment in a supportive community,” explains Parisa.
This initiative brought together expertise from across Monash University, including GPS Director Dr Eleanor Gordon, Dr Samanthi Gunawardana (Senior Lecturer), Dr Bill Flanik (Course Director, MA of International Relations), Prof. Michael Phillips (Director of Monash Virtual School), and Ms Saajeda Samaa (Asylum Seeker Resource Centre).
The project exemplifies GPS's commitment to innovative education models that prioritise the psychological safety and empowerment of participants.
Advocating for Afghan Women’s Rights
GPS has also championed Afghan women’s rights through impactful advocacy and engagement initiatives.
- End-of-Year Panel and Art Exhibition: In December, GPS supported the Amplify Afghan Women hosting a special event to mark International Human Rights Day. The event featured a keynote address by GPS Director Dr Eleanor Gordon, a panel discussion with leading experts Prof. Michael Phillips, Dr Farkhondeh Akbari and Ms Saajeda Samaa, and an art exhibition showcasing works by Afghan artist H.H.
The evening highlighted the resilience of Afghan women and emphasised the importance of translating their stories into tangible action. Key takeaways underscored the need for grassroots partnerships and collaborative international efforts to address the challenges faced by Afghan women.
- Essay Competition: The Amplify Afghan Women Essay Competition celebrated the insights and perspectives of young Afghan writers on the theme The Future. The prizes for the winners were generously sponsored by GPS, recognising the thought-provoking reflections and the enduring hope and vision of Afghan women showcased in the essays.
Upcoming Advocacy Initiatives
To further its mission and commitment to amplifying marginalised voices, GPS is leading a research project with young Afghan women that will lead to a scholarly paper entitled Silenced Voices, which aims to shed light on the psychosocial harms suffered by struggles of Afghan women. This research project aligns with GPS's broader efforts to ensure Afghan women’s rights remain central to international agendas.
A Shared Vision for Change
Through projects like the Afghan Girls Training Project and events that amplify the voices of Afghan women, Monash GPS reaffirms its commitment to fostering resilience, restoring education access, and advocating for the rights of Afghan women and girls. These initiatives are a testament to the transformative power of education and the importance of collaborative, action-oriented research to address challenges posed by insecurity and violence.
Stay connected with the Monash GPS Centre to learn more about our ongoing efforts and upcoming projects.