Resilience

Women

The world is grappling with multiple ongoing conflicts, geopolitical turmoil, extreme weather events, and threats to democracy: These challenges uniquely impact women and girls—and women and girls are essential in addressing them.

Nilofar Sakhi on USA Today said that “she’s received daily calls from panicked women in tears looking for assistance in fleeing the country.”

AfricaSource Mar 17, 2025

This Women’s History Month, focus on African women’s achievements, not just their challenges

African women deserve recognition not just for the indignities they face, but for the heights they achieve.

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Nilofar Sakhi on USA Today said that “she’s received daily calls from panicked women in tears looking for assistance in fleeing the country.”

MENASource Mar 10, 2025

Syria’s women face a new chapter. Here’s how to amplify their voices.

By Diana Rayes , Hind Kabawat

It is critical for women to be involved in transitional justice and constitutional reform processes in Syria.
Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding Syria
Nilofar Sakhi on USA Today said that “she’s received daily calls from panicked women in tears looking for assistance in fleeing the country.”

Freedom and Prosperity Around the World Feb 10, 2025

Cameroon’s future relies on empowering its women 

By Vera Songwe

To build a stronger, more prosperous Cameroon, the country must prioritize boosting economic and political freedoms and invest in managing its environmental resources. This strategy will not only benefit Cameroonian women but also prove most impactful in advancing the nation as a whole.
Corruption Energy & Environment

Women’s rights

Inside Afghanistan’s gender apartheid

Since retaking Afghanistan in August 2021, the Taliban has issued dozens of repressive decrees designed to systematically oppress the women and girls of the country. Hear directly from Afghans on the profound impacts of the escalating gender apartheid.

Listen to the women’s voices
Nilofar Sakhi on USA Today said that “she’s received daily calls from panicked women in tears looking for assistance in fleeing the country.”

Inside the Taliban’s gender apartheid Aug 26, 2024

The Taliban’s violence ‘ignited a fierce resistance within me.’ A protester’s story.

Nayra Kohestani recounts the abuse and imprisonment she and her children suffered for resisting the Taliban’s gender apartheid regime.

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Nilofar Sakhi on USA Today said that “she’s received daily calls from panicked women in tears looking for assistance in fleeing the country.”

New Atlanticist Aug 14, 2024

I was imprisoned and tortured by the Taliban for protesting gender apartheid in Afghanistan

By Zholia Parsi

Zholia Parsi describes protesting against gender apartheid in Afghanistan after the Taliban returned and abuse she faced as a result.
Afghanistan Human Rights
Nilofar Sakhi on USA Today said that “she’s received daily calls from panicked women in tears looking for assistance in fleeing the country.”

Inside the Taliban’s gender apartheid Apr 30, 2024

Don’t look away: The Taliban’s mistreatment of women has global ramifications

By Samira Abrar

The Taliban’s impunity for its violations of international human rights law poses grave risks to women’s rights worldwide.
Afghanistan Human Rights

Events

Public Event Mon, April 14, 2025 • 4:00 pm ET

Book launch of “Night Train to Odesa: Covering the Human Cost of Russia’s War”
Human Rights Nationalism Resilience Resilience & Society
Public Event Tue, February 18, 2025 • 11:00 am ET

The role of AI in transforming Saudi Arabia’s economic landscape
Economy & Business Entrepreneurship International Markets Middle East
Online Event Tue, January 28, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Innovating for good: Jordan’s impact-driven startups
Artificial Intelligence Civil Society Economy & Business Entrepreneurship

Content

In the News

Aug 25, 2021

Nilofar Sakhi on USA Today said that “she’s received daily calls from panicked women in tears looking for assistance in fleeing the country.”

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 20, 2021

Kohistany featured in “Smart Women, Smart Power” on Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, impact on women and girls

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Lyla Kohistany joins CSIS's "Smart Women, Smart Power" podcast to discuss "Afghanistan: Bullets, Backlash, Blame Games, Women & Girls."

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 20, 2021

Hu quoted in CNN on the humanitarian response in Afghanistan

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense nonresident senior fellow Evanna Hu speaks with CNN on the humanitarian response in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan Conflict

In the News

Aug 17, 2021

Alam quoted in the Media Line: Taliban Say Won’t Take Revenge, Women’s Rights Respected

By Atlantic Council

Afghanistan Conflict

Experts react

Aug 15, 2021

Experts react: The Taliban has taken Kabul. Now what?

By Atlantic Council experts

Atlantic Council experts, many of whom have spent many years in the trenches on Afghanistan policy, weigh in on the fall of Kabul.

Afghanistan Conflict

New Atlanticist

Aug 5, 2021

Here’s what we’re reading this summer

By Andrew R. Marshall

Even in the depths of summer, our deeply thoughtful (and widely read) staff at the Atlantic Council keep their mental gears churning. Here are some summer reading suggestions from us for the beach, mountains, or backyard.

Civil Society Education

Interview

Aug 5, 2021

Interview with Monera Yousufzada, former Afghan deputy minister of defense

By Fariba Pajooh

Munira Yousefzada, former Afghan deputy minister of defense, joins Fariba Pajooh for an interview about the ongoing situation in Afghanistan and the peace process.

Afghanistan Human Rights

SouthAsiaSource

Aug 3, 2021

On the frontline: Protecting Afghanistan’s human rights defenders

By Atlantic Council

Despite being on the receiving end of threats, harassment, intimidation, violence, and assassinations, Afghanistan's human rights defenders continue to fight for the rights of Afghans. Join the Atlantic Council's South Asia Center for a discussion with some of Afghanistan’s leading human rights defenders and experts to explore what lies ahead for the activists who put their lives on the line to fight violence, impunity, and militancy.

Afghanistan Civil Society

In the News

Jul 29, 2021

Varshney joins Asia Society to discuss centrality of religion and caste in modern India

By Atlantic Council

India Nationalism

In the News

Jul 20, 2021

Kohistany interviewed by NPR on her experience as an Afghan in the US military

By Atlantic Council

Forward Defense Nonresident Senior Fellow Lyla Kohistany speaks to NPR on her experience as an Afghan in the US military.

Afghanistan Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding
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Experts

Fellow

Aminata Niang

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Africa Future of Work

Fellow

Helena Fee Rasch

Visiting Fellow

Freedom and Prosperity Center

Economy & Business Europe & Eurasia

Fellow

Reem Goussous

Nonresident senior fellow

Rafik Hariri Center & Middle East programs Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East

Americas Arabic

Fellow

Tatiana Gfoeller

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Eurasia Center

Arabic Central Asia

Staff

Natalia Storz

Program Assistant

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Staff

Marina Meyjes

Project Assistant

GeoTech Center

Artificial Intelligence Energy & Environment
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