Zubaida Akbar

Zubaida Akbar is the Afghanistan Program Manager at Femena. Her work is focused on supporting the work of grassroots civic movements, women’s initiatives, and women human rights defenders, who are advocating for gender equality and an end to the draconian policies of the Taliban imposed on women. Toward this end, Zubaida leads research projects on the situation of women and women’s groups in Afghanistan, implements training and capacity-building efforts, organizes bilateral exchanges and learning opportunities between Afghan WHRDs and their counterparts regionally, and conducts advocacy with the UN, independent governments, and INGOs. In March 2023, Zubaida briefed the Security Council on the situation in Afghanistan, specifically the situation of women civic actors and marginalized ethnic and religious groups.

Zubaida also provides support to at-risk or threatened WHRDs, journalists and other marginalized Afghans by publicizing their cases and helping them seek urgent financial support or access relocation programs. Prior to her role at Femena, Zubaida worked for over a decade inside Afghanistan and internationally to promote equality, women’s and children’s rights, and democracy.

Zubaida’s professional experience includes working with a number of international organizations inside and outside of Afghanistan as a communications, campaign, and advocacy expert. Zubaida is currently based in the US, where she has lived since 2018. She is fluent in Farsi and English.