The supporters and the allies of the Afghan women have recently asked Women Leaders of Tomorrow that how that they can help. Here is a perfect way to advocate and raise awareness about Afghan women’s rights and rights to education and sports.
This is a 45 minutes of walk that you can organize it on your pace, time and community. But please don’t forget to take pictures of your walk, post on social media, and tag us WLOT with the following hashtags. #WLOT #WalkWithAfghanWomen #StandWithAfghanistan #GOAL #GirlsofAfghanistanLead
Women Leaders of Tomorrow (WLOT), a non profit organization based in Vancouver, Canada working in the field of education and human rights for women in Afghanistan, announces a new online learning initiative for women and girls in recognition of International Day of the Girl Child.1
On the occasion of this day, the youth spokesperson for WLOT, Shamsea Alizada, 2 wishes to share a message with the international community regarding the importance of education for women and girls in Afghanistan.
Since the Taliban takeover of the central government and capture of the entire country of Afghanistan approximately two months ago, the Taliban has banned girls over grade 6 from higher education, banned women from their high school, colleges, universities and their jobs, and imposed drastic, draconian restrictions on basic human rights.
Shamsea Alizada3, Afghanistan’s nationwide top scoring high school graduate and exceptional scholar in 2020 is pleased to announce WLOT’s intention to expand its existing online English language tutoring classes into more formal academic subjects.
“Since the return of the Taliban, thousands of talented, motivated young women in Afghanistan have become trapped in their homes”, said Friba Rezayee, founder and executive director of Women Leaders of Tomorrow. “We currently have dozens of students working with us via Internet-based video conferencing systems to improve their English language skills. As an expansion of our existing program, we are expanding into partnership with United States and Canada based higher educational institutes to introduce entirely Internet based formal academic classes and programs for these women in Afghanistan”.
“Afghan women may be trapped in their homes, but until the Taliban turns off the Internet entirely, we will continue our work.” added Ms. Alizada4. She continued: “I am in communication with so many of my peers and classmates whose lives have been put on pause”.
Shamsea was the first woman in Afghanistan to receive a perfect score on the annual university entrance examination, just one year before the collapse of the central government. The “Kankor” exam5 is approximately equivalent to the North American SAT test. Shamsea is presently studying on a fully-funded scholarship in Istanbul, Turkey, generously provided by the Turkish government. 6
These are the voices of women the Taliban doesn’t want the world to hear “My life has become just to eat, sleep and repeat,” says 20-year-old Aisha. She adds “My heart feels heavy because I can’t explain it to you, I can’t imagine how we’re going to live like this, with this government.”The founder and Executive Director of Women Leaders of Tomorrow, Friba Rezayee has been featured at the #TheNewReality at the #GlobalNews documentary by By #BrennanLeffler and #MikeArmstrong
As the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games continue in Japan, WLOT celebrates Afghan woman’s participation.
Nigara Shaheen, has been selected to be part of the International Olympic Committee’s refugee team. She was born and raised in Afghanistan and is a graduate of American University of Afghanistan. She earned her Master’s degree in Russia graduating with honors in Summer of 2021, just before departing to the training camp in Qatar to prepare of the Olympic Games.
The IJF, International Judo Federation, has created an initiative, to allow stateless athletes to compete world championships , Grand Slam, events and other major tournaments, as well as the Olympic Games. It is being called “Refugee with a Judo Mission”.
The team behind the initiative includes Keiko Mitsumoto of Tokai University in Japan and Friba Rezayee, the founder and executive director of WLOT. In 2018, herself a former Olympian in judo, began searching for other judokas who were living as refugees.
Her participation in the Olympics for Afghanistan — a first — inspired many other girls to participate in the sport in her homeland. Herself later came to Canada as a refugee so the project has special meaning to her.
After she contacted the Afghan Judo coach, Farhad Hazrati, Nigara Shaheen was introduced to WLOT, and WLOT requested Dr. Lisa Allen, the Commissionaire of Gender Equality at IJF, to accept her application; which she soon did.
Nigara Shaheen combined her studies with her judo training in Russia and with the support of the WLOT and the IJF and IOC, she made it to Tokyo for the games.
Nigara Shaheen during her online mentorship sessions with Eva/credit Eva
WLOT also provides mentorship programs for Afghan athletes. Eva Minarikova, from England is mentoring and supporting Nigara, ensuring she is in the best shape possible for the Olympic Games via online training sessions.. Eva describes the partnership as a success fulfilling Nigara’s goal of participating in the games.
Women Leaders of Tomorrow is honoured to be partnering with #GenerationforChange in #NYC for #GenerationforEquality to speak about gender equality, women’s rights and amplify Afghan women’s voices! There will be two amazing and vibrant young Afghan women representing WLOT @NasibaHakimi and @QudsiaKhaliln including @FribaRezayee. To join the event and listen to these two change makers from Afghanistan, please click at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsfuCvrz4tHNDgxkri4JS3jtGy50Prp0kW see you then!
Afghan women’s Judo team attended 9 months English language training program which was provided by the #AfghanNationalOlympicCommittee, and they successfully graduated. #WLOT wishes them all the best, and only sky is the limit!
Afghan women’s Judo team was invited recently at #1TV in #KabulAfghanistan. They represented the sports of Judo, and demonstrated that how it can be empowering, and will cultivate peace in the country.
We work hard, we stand tall & proud and we lead! 💪💕🇦🇫🥋🕊️ #NPOJudos #AfgWomenCan #SheCan
Friba Rezayee and Mahnaz Aliyar represented WLOT of at Brimmer and May School in Boston MA!
“We want women and girls to be in charge of their destiny.”
— Friba Rezayee, founder of Women Leaders of Tomorrow. We don’t take educated for granted in Afghanistan. It is our basic human women’s rights! Link to the full article: https://bmgator.org/25985/news/education-as-a-human-right-two-voices-from-afghanistan/
From Dasht-e-Barchi to Boston! Thanks Brimmer and May school for inviting WLOT and a graduate student from the Sayyed -ul-Shuhada school @MahnazAliyar to speak about the Afghan girls’ education, and what is at stake for Afghan women. We don’t take education for granted in Afghanistan. It is our human rights!
In order to learn more about Mahnaz Aliyar, click on this link for the Aljazeera documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-WjpdcKKu8&t=187s
We invest in the power of unity, women and female athletes – Afghan women Judo team is the pride of Afghanistan!🇦🇫💪💞🥋 @CoachFarhadsDojo in #Kabul #AfgRoadTo2024ParisOlympicGames
We welcome our new student who recently joined the WLOT’s English language tutoring program from #MarefatSchool in Afghanistan. She is a bright young girl who will lead the country in the future! In girls we trust! 💞🇦🇫💪
The founder and the Executive Director of #WomenLeadersofTomorrow and it’s #GOAL initiative was featured at the GQ magazine in Japan #fightLikeanAfgGirl #WeCan #SheCan and women lead!
Success comes after a hard work and determination. Afghan women’s Judo team is determined to gain equal rights, fully participation at the society and take leadership roles. This is #AfgWomensroadtothe2024ParisOlympicGames!
@NigaraShaheen (in the white Judogie) who is a member of the Women Leaders of Tomorrow and it’s women’s sports initiative competed at the #KazanGrandSlam yesterday. She fought like a champ! Afghan women are proud of her! #girlscan #AfgWomenCan #Judo #IJF #IOC
