In 2011, college students Anita Haidary and Noorjahan Akbar joined forces to start the first Afghan nongovernmental organization consisting of young women. The organization Young Women for Change (YWC) is comprised of dozens of male and female advocates from across the country. They work tirelessly to increase opportunities for social and economic participation for women in Afghan society with a focus on community involvement, political empowerment, and advocacy. YWC aims to promote gender equality by increasing the participation of Afghan women in society.
Haidary and Akbar recognize that Afghanistan lies at an important juncture as it moves toward economic independence. YWC seeks to provide women with the tools necessary to participate in social and economic development, as well as to solidify their presence in Afghan society. The organization’s members have taken a practical approach to inclusion with projects that include the opening of the first women’s Internet café in Kabul. In addition, YWC established a learning center for women where they can develop language, computer, and literacy skills.
Moreover, YWC has undertaken critical awareness initiatives that include the first anti-harassment street march in Afghan history. Moreover, the organization held a protest to seek justice for women who have confronted violence and abuse. These programs aim to help change the ways in which Afghan people view violence against women.
A Facebook event led to the inception of YWC, as individuals recognized the need for young women and their supporters to band together and fight for a better future. The organization, which operates primarily in Kabul, Herat, and Jalalabad, has both Afghan members and international supporters. Since the organization’s inception, the founders have witnessed a shift in how men and women discuss women’s issues in Afghanistan in major media outlets and on social media networks.