Suraya Pakzad

Suraya Pakzad is the founder of Voice of Women, one of a minority of organizations dedicated to helping women in Afghanistan. Voice of Women is based in Herat but has offices in three provinces across the region. Founded in 1998, her organization continued to operate during the Taliban rule, mainly in Kabul, and continues to face tremendous challenges even today. The organization’s core service is providing shelter and counseling to women including those who have recently been released from jail, women who have run away from abusive relationships, and girls escaping forced marriages. The organization also works to advocate for increasing the role of women in society and offers gender issues programs for women and children.