Zarqa Yaftali

Zarqa Yaftali (LinkedIn) is an internationally recognized peacebuilder, women’s rights advocate, and legal expert committed to advancing education, justice, and women’s empowerment in Afghanistan and globally. Since 2009, she has served as Executive Director of the Women and Children Legal Research Foundation (WCLRF), leading legal reform, research, and advocacy to strengthen women’s rights, access to education, justice, and the Women, Peace and Security agenda. In 2023, she founded the Women and Children Research and Advocacy Network (WCRAN) in Canada to expand global advocacy and innovative education initiatives for Afghanistan women and girls.

She has twice briefed the United Nations Security Council about the situation of women in Afghanistan and serves as Co-Chair of the Women, Peace and Security Working Group, Board Member of Women Living Under Muslim Laws, and member of WASL, an organization supporting Afghan NGOs, and the Malala Fund’s Education Champion Network.

Ms. Yaftali is also the Founder of Kabul Online School, a high-capacity virtual academy providing structured digital education for girls in Grades 7–12 in Afghanistan. Built as a professional online campus with rigorous standards, live instruction, verified academic records, and credible transcripts

She received the 2019 N-Peace Award and the 2026 Zayed Award for Human Fraternity.