Shabana Basij-Rasikh is the cofounder and president of the School of Leadership, Afghanistan (SOLA), the country's first and only girls' boarding school. She’s presented twice at TEDWomen—in 2012 when she had so much hope for the girls of Afghanistan, and in 2021, to talk about her school’s harrowing evacuation after Kabul fell to the Taliban. I want to share with you an update on Shabana's vital work. She and her staff and students made it out of Kabul, but so many women and girls remain in Afghanistan, denied an education and all the opportunities that come with it.
Read MoreHope In Action: The Dream of Educating Afghan Girls Lives On
This week, I want to share two success stories because I think we all could use a little good news. You may remember a few weeks ago I shared with you some details about the current dire situation for Afghani women and girls under Taliban rule. Hope is alive in the hearts of Dr. Sakena Yaccobi and Shabana Basij-Rasikh, two women activists who are working to educate girls, in spite of the enormous challenges that both face.
Read More'Please do not forget us" - the women of Afghanistan
Dr. Sakena Yacoobi is one of Afghanistan’s most honored and deeply committed women leaders. She founded and leads the Afghan Institute of Learning (AIL), an organization that provides education, health, social and economic programming to Afghan women. In August, when the Taliban retook power in her country, she made an urgent plea to me and all other women around the world: "Please do not forget us."
Read MoreRage, Roar & RISE: Women of the world have our eyes on Afghanistan
Last week, I sent a note with actions you can take to help the women of Afghanistan. This week, I want to alert you to two actions planned by V-Day and One Billion Rising to take place online on Wednesday, September 1, and in the streets on Saturday, September 25. If you are a member of an organization, please sign up to confirm your support for these actions. I hope you will take action to support and stand in solidarity with our Afghan sisters.
Read MoreStand in Solidarity with the Women of Afghanistan
Like so many other women activists around the world, I am mourning the losses that the Taliban takeover, again, means for women and girls in Afghanistan. It's a loss of hard fought rights and for many, a loss of lives, as the targeting of women leaders and activists has already begun.
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