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Mentoring and Access Program

Our main objective is to empower young women currently residing in Afghanistan through mentoring, mental and physical-wellbeing support, and other opportunities for capacity building and access to formal education.

Empowering Women in Afghanistan

After the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, Afghan women and girls were suddenly erased from public life. In response to this heartbreaking situation, a group of us—members of the Afghan diaspora from around the world—came together, united by resilience and a fierce determination to act. From this shared pain, the Mentoring and Access Program (MAP) was born—a promise to keep Afghan girls’ dreams alive.

At MAP, we believe that education is not just a right—it is a lifeline. Our vision is bold and unwavering: a future where every Afghan girl has access to education, overcomes barriers, and is empowered to shape her destiny.

Our mission is to empower Afghan girls with opportunities for self-development and growth, despite the circumstances designed to suppress them. At MAP, we do more than offer support—we stand in solidarity with these girls. We are a generation that had the right to learn, and witnessing our younger sisters being banned from education and public life moved us to take a stand beside them—and for them.

Through one-to-one mentorships, mental and physical well-being support, and academic guidance, we try to equip girls with the tools to rebuild what was taken from them. Whether it’s helping them secure scholarships, offering access to English and computer classes, or raising funds for laptops and internet access, we are creating new pathways for girls in Afghanistan.

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Mentees

Mentors

Highlights at MAP

We’re excited to launch a 7-month Mental Health Empowerment Program for our mentees in Afghanistan, focusing on well-being and academic resilience because education and well-being go hand in hand.

Program Structure

The Program is planed with estimated duration of 6 - 7 Months. One-on-one sessions will be available for those requiring additional care.

Months 1–2: Trauma healing and PTSD support

Months 3–4: Strengthening academic resilience

Months 5–6: Life skills development and personal growth planning

Goals

The program is designed to help our mentees build confidence, manage stress, and grow personally and academically in a safe and supportive space.

Presenter

This important work is led by Zeinab Mousavi, an award-winning psychologist at Behravan Research and Psychology Services Organization, with over 20 years’ experience supporting survivors of trauma.

Read What A Mentee Says about MAP

I am an Afghan girl living in Afghanistan, facing numerous difficulties and hardships. Since the Taliban took over, everything changed, especially for Afghan girls and women. In situations like this, where women in Afghanistan lack basic rights, having a supporter like MAP is a major support for me. For more than two years, there was not anyone who considered girls like me. Therefore, I think I am one of the luckiest girls who could participate, have this chance, and be one of the members of MAP. I really appreciate this program.

I always will be cheerful that I became familiar with MAP and my dear mentor.

One short piece of advice I can give to those girls who live in Afghanistan is, one day all of this will be over and changed. Therefore, never give up on your future. It is absolutely hard to stay optimistic and hopeful alone; try to reach out to people and programs who can support you in the process.

**Fatima *, MAP Mentee**

Fatima’s Story – A Journey of Resilience

Fatima* is one of the first mentees at MAP — a determined, hardworking, and deeply motivated young girl. Despite the restrictions and challenges she faces, she refuses to be silenced or stopped in her pursuit of education.

Her dream is to become an English teacher, to inspire and empower the next generation of Afghan girls.

Through MAP, we stand beside her — sharing resources, knowledge, and experience, but most importantly, sharing hope. Together, we believe that even in the most difficult circumstances, dreams can grow, and futures can be rewritten.

We aim to provide educational opportunities, mentorship, and personal development support for girls in Afghanistan, particularly focusing on those in underprivileged areas.

Access to Formal Education

Mentorship

Mental and physical Well-being Support

Resource Mobilization

MAP Programs

Providing guidance and support to girls in developing skills that will help them in their academic and personal lives.

Facilitating opportunities for girls to pursue higher education through scholarships and academic programs.

Capacity Building

Organizing classes in English and computer skills, either through referral programs or by securing financial aid for these courses.

Offering psychological counseling and wellness activities, to promote their overall well-being.

Raising funds to provide necessary tools like laptops, mobile devices, and internet connections to enable these girls to access educational resources remotely.