The Girl Who Dreams Beyond Barriers

PACEY Award winner Suraya Mohammadi shares her story of fighting for peace and empowerment for Afghan girls in this online lunchtime lecture

For our International Women’s Day lecture we will be joined by Suraya Mohammadi to hear about her work advocating for peace and gender equality.

Suraya is an 18-year-old activist and women’s rights advocate from Afghanistan, and is currently living in Pakistan.

She is the founder of Safiran-e-Sloh (Youth Peace Ambassadors Group), winner of the Wilson Hinkes Peace Award in 2024, and was recently awarded the PACEY Award by the Basel Peace Office.

Suraya’s project Safiran-e-Solh is a “youth-led initiative that supports Afghan refugee girls and women through education, personal development, and advocacy for equal rights. Originating in Afghanistan and now based in Pakistan, the project includes weekly meetings, literacy education, mentoring programs, and collaborative projects that empower Afghan girls and young women to become active change-makers in their communities.” (Basel Peace Office)

This event will be hosted by Interfaith Scotland on Zoom.

Background: Gender inequality in Afghanistan

Last year UNESCO said, “Four years ago in Afghanistan, on August 15, 2021, the Taliban launched their grim campaign to erase women from public life. Since seizing power, they have implemented more than 70 decrees violating the rights of girls and women — especially their right to education.

“Today, Afghanistan stands out tragically as the only country in the world where secondary and higher education is strictly forbidden to girls and women. Nearly 2.2 million of them are now barred from attending school beyond the primary level due to this regressive decision.”

Booking information

Please book your ticket on Eventbrite. You will be sent a Zoom meeting link in the confirmation email.