This year, on the 16 Days of Activism to End Gender Based violence from November 16th to December 10th, the grade 8th students from St. Margaret School also held a rally to end the gender based violence in Afghanistan. The rally which is #WalkWithAfghanwomen is to raise awareness that all girls’ schools are shutdown by the Taliban above 3rd grade in Afghanistan. The students made signs saying #LetHerLearn #EducationIsMyRight #StandwithwomeninAfghanistan.
Women Leaders of Tomorrow is grateful to the grade 8th students for their sympathetic advocacy, and standing in solidarity with young girls in Afghanistan.
Women Leaders of Tomorrow is pleased to announce that there are four scholarship positions opening for Afghan girls to study in Canada. These positions are for high school studentsonly!
Please read the requirement and eligibility before sending your applications and or requests to us:
1. Age requirement: Between 16 to 18 years old
2. Must have a valid passport
3. Must be able to speak, write and read in English language
4. Must have taken (or willing to take) the English language tests, such as TOEFL, ILETs, and or Duolingo
5. Must have motivation and commitment to study in Canada and successfully graduate
If you meet the requirement, please send your application to info@womenleaders.ca
The deadline to send your application is January 10th, 2024.
The Taliban banned her sports facilities, including her gym, and banned sports for her and her members of the national team, but Roya Shafai didn’t give up. She fought for her right to play sports. She stood up for her rights against the Taliban, and Women Leaders of Tomorrow stood with her. WLOT’s GOAL – Girls of Afghanistan Lead supports Afghan female athletes. GOAL has been standing with women & girls before the collapse of the Republican government, and specially after the collapse. Because we believe in the principles of Human Rights, women’s rights and women’s dignity.
WLOT’s Mixed Martial Arts and Judo athlete won a scholarship to a Canadian college, and she has safely arrived in Canada today. Dear champion, Canada is lucky to have you. Welcome to Canada! رهبری دختران افغانستان – ردا!
Habiba Nazari was interviewed by CBC VancouverThe founder & ED of WLOT along with WLOT/UBC student were interviewed by CBC Vancouver
Education for Afghan women & girls is at the heart of WLOT’s mission. Afghan women made impressive and measurable progress in the last two decades. The number of girls’ enrolment at secondary and post secondary went from 37 to 57 percent, and that is worth protecting. Following their seizure of power two years ago, the Taliban has banned women from education above the sixth grade and all forms of employment and public life.
CBC highlights WLOT’s work and Afghan women scholars’ accomplishments in education in BC.Habiba Nazari along with the founder & ED of WLOT were invited for an interview with CBC. You can watch the full interview by clicking on the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfjrA6TtUmY
Women Leaders of Tomorrow Celebrates Success of Afghan Women Scholars in British Columbia, Canada.
WLOT students on UBC campus
Vancouver, 10 July 2023 – Women Leaders of Tomorrow (WLOT), is thrilled to announce the remarkable achievements of our 13 Afghan women scholars who have successfully completed their first full year in British Columbia, Canada. These courageous individuals were denied the right to education due to their gender, but through the support of WLOT, they have embarked on a transformative journey toward a brighter future.
The 13 female students (16 years and above age group) represent a beacon of hope for Afghan women whose educational opportunities have been unjustly suppressed in Afghanistan by the Taliban. Among them, 10 scholars have been granted full-ride scholarships to pursue studies in geology and mining engineering, while the remaining three have been enrolled in high school for grades 11 and 12 at Crofton House School and the Shawnigan Lake School.
WLOT high school students with founder & ED Friba Rezayee
The journey to secure these opportunities was made possible through the collective efforts of Women Leaders of Tomorrow. WLOT engaged in extensive fundraising initiatives, successfully securing half of the required funds for the UBC cohort. Furthermore, an incredibly generous anonymous donor contributed the remaining amount, demonstrating their commitment to empowering Afghan women and girls through education.
Advocacy played a pivotal role in overcoming the significant challenges faced by these women. WLOT tirelessly championed their cause, shedding light on the oppressive policies imposed by the Taliban that banned education for women and girls in Afghanistan beyond grade six. By raising awareness and mobilizing resources, WLOT has provided these 13 courageous scholars with a chance to reclaim their right to education.
The successful completion of the first semester marks a significant milestone in the educational journey of these Afghan women scholars. Their determination, resilience, and unwavering commitment to their studies are truly commendable. WLOT celebrates their achievements and looks forward to supporting them throughout their academic endeavours, empowering them to become the leaders of tomorrow.
Dr. Shashi Goel, Board member and Director said “Education is a basic right for all human beings to get the opportunity to develop themselves. So Afghan girls and women are not different than other girls and women. They are human and deserve to be treated equally”.
About Women Leaders of Tomorrow: Women Leaders of Tomorrow (WLOT, Canada, is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering Afghan women and girls through education and sports, leadership development, and advocacy. WLOT believes that education is the key to breaking the cycle of inequality and empowering women to become influential leaders in their communities. By providing scholarships, mentorship programs, and advocating for gender equality, WLOT strives to create a world where every Afghan women have equal access to education and opportunities.
“For me, summarizing my work with Women Leaders of Tomorrow is almost impossible. It was one of the most inspiring, educational and eye-opening experiences of my life and I’m so thankful for meeting Friba for the first time over a year ago! I learned to empathize, I spoke with girls who live on the other side of the world and I realized what a privilege it is for me to study freely without a second thought.Today I’m proud to say that I stand with Afghan girls—and so should you.”
Marina Musleh, a scholarship recipient of Women Leaders of Tomorrow at Shawnigan Lake School Impact Scholar going into her final year this fall, is acknowledged by the Club’s President Council for 2023-24. (l-r) Leslie Grills, Gay Wise, Marina and Hilary Abbott. Marina shared with the Club her difficult sole journey from war-torn Afghanistan through Pakistan and eventually to Shawnigan. An impressive young woman to watch as she plans to fight the Taliban with knowledge and education. Shawnigan Lake School.WLOT’s mandate is to empower Afghan women through education and sports. We are very proud of Marina Musleh! رهبری دختران افغانستان ردا!
Women Leaders of Tomorrow is grateful to Renia Tymniski for her incredible volunteering work with the English language training program and menorship. WLOT’s young female mentees have found her guidance life changing. Renia has been planting the seed of success in the young generation of Afghanistan.
Thank you for all your work & support. We proudly share her testimony below:
“I’ve had the opportunity of contributing to the language coaching program of Women Leaders of Tomorrow in various ways since May 2021. In the interim, the online mentoring of young Afghan women and girls by the volunteers from abroad has become even more significant. Being able to influence the future success of the two athletes I’ve been coaching has created new possibilities in all our lives.”– Renia Tyminski, Ph.D., Crosscultural Communications Trainer
On Thursday, December 22nd CBC News Network interviewed Habiba Nazari, a member of WLOT’s STEM cohort currently attending the University of British Columbia. On the day immediately following the Taliban’s decree absolutely banning all women from high schools and universities, she spoke about the urgent need for Canada and the international community to support women’s education in Afghanistan and Canadian scholarships for Afghan women. She additionally reiterated the position that Canada should apply whatever pressure is possible to force the Taliban to reverse this draconian policy.
On October 11th, Women Leaders of Tomorrow held another in its series of online Chai & Chat events to raise awareness about Afghan girls’ rights to education. Two amazing young Afghan women speakers, Khatira Daryabi and Manizha Azizi were invited to speak and share their stories. The audience found their stories inspiring.
These discussion are crucial to take place because child marriage is on the rise in Afghanistan. UN Women suggests having access to education is a key factor in preventing child marriages, and empowering women to develop their careers and join the economy.
Let’s us know if you’re interested in hosting a Chai & Chat to support WLOT! Send an email to info@womenleaders.ca for more details.
Thank you to the community for gathering in support of Afghan women and girls.
Women Leaders of Tomorrow is starting a new partnership with a new school in Canada. This time, WLOT is accepting applications for the STEM scholarship program.
The purpose of this partnership is to encourage women & girls in science. Also, this program will provide an opportunity for those Afghan women engineers who never had a chance to pursue education in this field.
This program is for high school, as well as college in Canada.
If you are qualified, please email us at info@womenleaders.ca. You can also refer an Afghan woman who is interested in this program.
If you have any questions, please visit WLOT’s Frequently Asked Questions page.
ABC Australia contacted Friba Rezayee, the founder and ED of WLOT for an interview with @TraceyLeeHolmesabout regarding the IOC’s negotiations with the Taliban.
Her stand has been clear from the beginning that the IOC must not recognize the Taliban because it violates the IOC’s Charter. The Taliban will not respect a 50/50 percent gender ratio. Afghan athletes should be allowed to participate and represent Afghanistan under the three coloured Afghan flag; not the Taliban’s black and white flag at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Further more, she emphasized the importance of sports scholarships for the Afghan women’s Judo team. Listen to the interview and stand with women in Afghanistan. @iocmedia #IJF @GetUp&Fight Jean Kanokogi AnnMaria De Mars @IOCTwin Challenges for the IOC – Transgender Policies & Taliban Negotiations – ABCABC.NET.AUTwin Challenges for the IOC – Transgender Policies & Taliban Negotiations – ABC https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/the-ticket
Chai & Chat is a platform where young Afghan women come and speak about their rights to education, showcase their art & talent and engage the North America community with Afghanistan.
Sakina is a 17 years old with extraordinary talent for art in Afghanistan. But she can’t practice it anymore because the Taliban have banned her art. She will present her art on August 14 at the Chai & Chat event. Please make sure that you register and don’t miss the chance to see her art.
A sample of her art is illustrated on the right side.
Women Leaders of Tomorrow’s scholarship recipient has been featured on the Globe and Mail today. Marina Musleh says “I want my country to have all freedoms, an opportunity for everyone.” Ms. Musleh previously attended Marefat High School, an internationally recognized institution on the outskirts of Kabul that championed freedom, democracy, and the rights of women and girls. However, when the Taliban took over the government, they immediately banned girls’ education past Grade 6.
WLOT invests in the youth of Afghanistan to rebuild the country and give women and girls access to education.
Women Leaders of Tomorrow’s founder and Executive Director was invited to attend the ground breaking ceremony of Samuel House for 8th grade students on the Shawnigan Lake School campus.
Following the ceremony, Friba Rezayee provided information about WLOT’s projects to the school’s board members and governors. She also thanked the Shawnigan Lake School for their generous contribution to Afghan girls’ education. 🎓🧕🇦🇫 Thank you for your partnership!
رهبری دختران افغانستان – ردا!
