Athifa Watanyar,

Mathematics teach and Medical Student at Afghan Women’s Rights Freedom Fighter,

Athifa Wathanyar is an educator, medical student, and women’s rights activist who has dedicated her career to providing education opportunities for Afghan girls from the Hazara community, a targeted and persecuted minority. In May 2021, Athifa’s survived a violent terror attack at her school which killed over 90 students and injured over 250 girls. After the Taliban further restricted girl’s rights to education, Athifa continued to teach young girls in secret, encouraging them to believe in their dreams and futures. Athifa and her two younger sisters also became leaders in the women’s rights movement, demanding the Taliban respect the fundamental freedoms for all women and girls in Afghanistan. Her peaceful protests were met with extreme violence; fearing imminent arrest, Athifa fled to a nearby country where she was soon granted humanitarian protection by Portugal. Athifa is a proud mother of two who dreams of resuming her medical studies. Athifa is requalifying as a mathematics teacher and continuing to fight for the rights of all women and girls in Afghanistan.