Zarqa Yaftali Receives the Zayed International Award for Human Fraternity 2026

Photo: Zarqa Yaftali/Facebook

Zarqa Yaftali, an Afghan women’s rights and girls’ education activist, has received the Zayed International Award for Human Fraternity 2026.

The award was presented to Zarqa Yaftali at an official ceremony by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.

In a message posted on her Facebook page, Zarqa Yaftali wrote that she considers the award not a personal achievement, but a recognition of years of collective struggle by Afghan women, women who, despite widespread deprivation and systematic exclusion, have stood up for their fundamental rights.

In the message, Yaftali stressed that the deprivation of women and girls from education, work and social participation constitutes an organised violation of human rights and should not be normalised. She added that the silence of the international community in the face of this situation leads to the continuation of injustice.

At the same ceremony, the peace agreement between the Republic of Azerbaijan and Armenia, as well as a Palestinian welfare organisation, were also announced as other recipients of the award.

The Zayed Award for Human Fraternity is an annual international award presented to individuals and institutions that have played an effective role in promoting human fraternity, peace, justice and peaceful coexistence. Zarqa Yaftali dedicated the award to all women who, despite threats and restrictions, continue to work for women’s rights and girls’ education.