ASDD Mentorship programme for female stuedents in Afghanistan

The ASDD Mentorship Programme is an initiative dedicated to supporting female students in Afghanistan who are facing increasing educational restrictions and limited opportunities. Launched by ASDD (Associazione di Solidarietà Donne per le Donne), the programme connects Afghanistani girls and young women with mentors from around the world who offer guidance, encouragement, and academic support.

This mentorship programme is part of our broader initiative, the Empowering Mind Project, which aims to promote educational access, personal growth, and psychological resilience among Afghan women and girls affected by the current crisis.

The first edition of the programme was launched in 2024, and due to its success, we proudly launched the second edition in 2025. This year, the mentorship began on March 1st and will run for a period of six months. The programme currently includes over 40 mentors from various countries, all united by a shared commitment to empowering Afghan women through education and solidarity.

Programme Objectives

The ASDD Mentorship Programme is designed to:

  • Enhance students’ English language skills
  • Develop soft skills such as communication, presentation and public speaking, critical thinking, and problem-solving
  • Keep students motivated despite ongoing challenges
  • Support students in writing essays and academic assignments
  • Prepare students to apply for scholarships abroad

How It Works

  • One-on-One Mentorship: Each student is paired with a dedicated mentor who provides consistent support through virtual meetings over a six-month period, starting from March 1st, 2025.
  • Targeted Learning Goals: Mentors help students improve their English language skills, develop essential soft skills (like communication and critical thinking), and stay motivated in the face of adversity.
  • Practical Academic Support: Students receive help with essay writing, career planning, and preparing for international scholarship applications.
  • Global Volunteer Network: Our mentors are volunteers from over 10 countries, representing diverse academic and professional backgrounds. Each one is passionate about promoting women’s education and standing in solidarity with Afghan girls and young women.

Why It Matters

Following the Taliban’s return to power, Afghanistani girls and young women have been increasingly denied access to education and public life. The ASDD Mentorship Programme provides a meaningful, personal connection that helps them maintain their academic ambitions, build skills, and hold on to hope for a better future.

Mentor Feedback

Our mentors play a crucial role in shaping the experiences and future of our students. Here’s what some of them have shared:

” This experience was deeply humbling. It made me painfully aware of the privileges I hold; privileges that are, in reality, basic rights that everyone should have: access to education, personal agency, independence, mobility, freedom of speech, and equal opportunities. Yet, I only have them by the accident of birth; my country, my background. And not because I am somehow more deserving of them than my mentee. One moment that stays with me was a conversation with my mentee where she told me that her male university classmates will soon graduate. She and many other young women could have been among them, if not for the restrictions imposed by the current regime. It is so unfair. Yet the world is watching. The fight for women’s rights is an endless one.”
—Imane Bouarfa from Sweden

“My mentee and I live in two different realities, and I was concerned that this would prevent me from getting to know her. However, after more than two months as a mentor, I can confidently say that the bond with my mentee is growing day by day. We are both getting to know each other and learning about our two different cultures. This experience helps me develop a greater sensitivity to the lives of Afghan girls, deepening my commitment to changing their situation.” — Arianna Tranchero from Italy

Get Involved

  • As a Mentor: Join our global network of volunteers and help shape a young woman’s future through personalised, virtual mentorship.
  • As a Donor: Your contribution helps us expand the programme, provide resources, and reach more students in need.
  • Subscribe to Our Newsletter: Stay updated on our progress, success stories, and upcoming opportunities.
  • As a Partner: Collaborate with us to build a more equitable future for Afghan women through education and empowerment.

📧 For more information or to get involved, please contact us at [email protected] and [email protected].