What happens when an ordinary day is no longer ordinary? For millions of girls and women in Afghanistan, a simple walk to school has turned into an impossible dream. Since 2021, girls over the age of 11 have been banned from secondary education, erasing futures and silencing voices that the world desperately needs. In this moving and urgent talk, Roquiya Sayeq shares Sarah’s story, one of many young women whose education was stripped away overnight. Yet amid the restrictions, a powerful movement is growing. Through an online educational center, Victory Afghanistan, Roquiya and her team are reclaiming lost learning hours. But this fight extends beyond Afghanistan. Denying education to half a nation robs humanity of problem solvers, leaders, doctors, and innovators. This talk is both a call to action and a reminder: education equality is not optional; it is essential. What role will you play in ensuring every girl and woman has the chance to learn?

oquiya Sayeq is the co-founder of Victory Afghanistan, a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking down barriers in education for women in Afghanistan. She is also a data science consultant, applying machine learning to tackle complex business challenges across industries. Drawing on her expertise as a data scientist, Roquiya shapes data-driven strategies at Victory Afghanistan. Since founding Victory Afghanistan, Roquiya has mobilized volunteers from 24 countries around the world to deliver over 144,000 hours of learning to 800 students in Afghanistan. She leads programs that empower students and volunteers alike, emphasizing growth and meaningful change. Remarkably, 22 of the organization’s project coordinators are current mentees, turning students into leaders and proving that true empowerment multiplies.