Pashtana Durrani
A 29 year-old changemaker and founder of LEARN Afghanistan, an organization that enables education, health support, and mentorship for girls while simultaneously working to challenge deeply rooted gender-based norms.
BACKGROUND
Born in 1997 in a refugee camp in Pakistan, Pashtana Durrani grew up surrounded by education and resilience: her father ran a school for children in exile, inspiring her commitment to learning and equality. At 21, following her father’s passing, she became the head of the family and continued his legacy. Pashtana describes herself as an educator and advocate for girls’ leadership in conflict zones.
Between 2016 and 2021, she lived in Afghanistan, witnessing firsthand the barriers girls face in accessing education. Her experiences shaped her belief that education is not only a right but a pathway to empowerment, equality, and social change.
WORK & IMPACT
In 2018, Pashtana founded LEARN Afghanistan, creating schools and support systems that provide education, health services, mentorship, and leadership training for girls, even in high-risk environments. Using innovative digital tools, including radio lessons and WhatsApp based learning, her programmes continued to reach students after the Taliban’s return to power, when secondary and higher education for girls over 12 was banned. LEARN Afghanistan’s model combines classroom teaching, life skills, STEM education, and mentorship to foster resilience and long-term opportunity. By pairing local action with international advocacy, Pashtana empowers girls to continue learning, challenge gender norms, and take active roles in shaping their communities.
WHY PASHTANA IS A FINALIST
The jury selected Pashtana Durrani as a finalist for the 2026 Win Win Youth Award for her courageous and enduring leadership in promoting gender-equal societies, and for her work to ensure that girls, even under the most difficult circumstances, have access to education, empowerment, and agency over their own lives.
"Gender equality is a global responsibility. What happens to girls in one conflict zone reverberates across borders and generations. My work has shown me that when girls are educated, communities stabilize and futures expand. This recognition is not only about Afghanistan — it is about building a world where no girl’s potential is limited by geography or politics.”
- Pashtana Durrani