A Shared Journey
HAMRAH’s mission is to strengthen the resilience and amplify the voices and impact of Afghan civil society in exile, with a particular focus on women-led organisations.
Our Story
HAMRAH was born out of crisis. When the Taliban retook power in 2021, Afghanistan’s fragile progress was shattered overnight. Most civil society leaders were forced into exile. Women and girls disappeared from public life. Voices of dissent were silenced. LGBTIQ+ people, ethnic minorities, and those with disabilities were pushed further into the shadows, subject to daily violence and discrimination. But Afghan activists refused to give up.
HAMRAH—meaning sharing a path or journey in Persian/Dari—was created to bring these brave individuals together, to help them rebuild their organisations and continue their fight for human rights and serve their communities. Today, HAMRAH’s cohort of young, grassroots activists act as “shock absorbers” against the daily repression, poverty, and exclusion gripping Afghanistan. They work hand in hand with local communities and CSOs inside the country, providing life-saving protection, education, and legal aid.
Financial Support
We provide small annual grants to cohort members to use to ensure operational stability, support the sustainability.
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Organisational Capacity Building
HAMRAH offers a range of technical support and mentoring tailored to each cohort member’s specific needs.
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Joint Advocacy and Networking
HAMRAH supports cohort members in their own advocacy and provides a platform for their collective voices.
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Cross Learning and Knowledge Sharing
We create meaningful opportunities for shared learning and for building solidarity.
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Mentorship and Guidance
Each cohort member is connected with volunteer mentors who provide tailored professional expertise and socio-cultural support.
Read more →Our Cohort
Our cohort supports those most in need in Afghanistan. Their work ranges from providing quality education for girls, supporting child literacy, fostering inclusivity and empowering people with disabilities, enabling women, girls and displaced persons to access legal aid to supporting women human rights defenders and protecting LGBTIQ+ persons. Their efforts on the ground in Afghanistan and their international advocacy works towards ensuring equal rights, safety and dignity of marginalised groups in the face of extreme deprivation and discrimination.
Our Voices – Our Fight for Change
Our cohort consistently speaks out to ensure the world does not look away from the plight of marginalised communities in Afghanistan.
Testimonies
While global sympathy for Afghans—especially women and girls—remains, attention on Afghanistan has waned amidst new conflicts and global crises. To bring the spotlight back and push for meaningful policy shifts, our cohort is stepping up, speaking out, and ensuring the world does not look away.
On the Ground
With their connections and extensive networks in Afghanistan, HAMRAH cohort members work with partners and communities across the country to provide protection and other vital services for women and girls, people with disabilities, LGBTIQ+ persons and other marginalised groups, and to document their experiences of living under Taliban rule.
